The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 119

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1995 THE SUN ARTS ENTERTAINMENT 3H UPN: Two new networks take to the air, and cable services expand not new but tried and true From Page IH whose late wealthy and estranged father left him a legacy of debts of help and protection called "markers" that he must pay off to hundreds of needy people. The concept: Mix classic anthology series The Millionaire with "Magnum P.I. The outlook: A hunk vehicle. This series will try to survive on looks alone but won't Still, it does offer an alternative to its sappy competitors, "Wings" on NBC and ABC tween-pleaser "Full House." The Watcher" (anthology drama; premieres 9 p.m. Tuesday.

From Christopher Crowe, who was executive-producer of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and The Untouchables." An enigmatic "watcher" (rapper Sir Mlx-A-Lot) eavesdrops on hopes fulfilled and dreams shattered in Las Vegas. The concept Nicely eerie. The outlook: With a few exceptions, such as "Hitchcock Presents." The Millionaire and Twilight Zone," anthology series don't usually do as well as series with regular stars. Also, The Watcher" is up against powerhouses "Home Improvement" and "Frasier." younger brothers of "In living Color" stars Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans, star in a show about young singles. "The Parent Hood," at 8:30 p.m.

Robert Townsend stars as a father of four whose child-rearing problems stem from the fact he is still "a big kid at heart himself. "Unhappily Ever After. at 9 p.m. Geoff Hereon retrace Under and stand-up comic Stephanie Hodge star as divorcing parents of three kids. "Muscle at 9:30 p.m.

A fitness gym on New York's Upper East Side provides the setting for a group of "up-and-coming men and women" dealing with life. The Towson State TV station jumped on the chance to affiliate with WB when no other local station was signing on, says John MacKerron, aTSU associate professor of television who runs the campus station. "It gives us a network professional model for our students to look at," he says. In addition, he says the network identity might persuade local cable systems to add Channel 6 1 to their lineups. Steve HcKerrow The Warner Bros.

Network claims to have 50 broadcast affiliates nationally. In addition to Towson State Television (Channel 61), it can be seen locally on the few cable systems that carry the Chicago-based cable "superstatJon" WGN. WGN is available here on TCI Cablevlslon of Annapolis, Intermedia (formerly North Arundel Cable TV) and Jones Intertable in Anne Arundel County, and on Frederick Cablevlslon. which Includes a portion of Carroll County. Warner Bros, has been negotiating In Washington with independent WFTY-Channel 50, but a network spokesman in Los Angeles said last week that no deal had been reached.

Channel 50 Is carried on TCI Cablevlslon and Intermedia In Anne Arundel County, and on Mid-Atlantic Cable in western Howard County; its signal can be picked up only In the southern portion of the Baltimore area. WB television's logo Is the top-hatted animated character Michigan J. Frog, from a classic Warner Bros, cartoon. The network's new series, all showing on Wednesday, are: "The Wayans at 8 p.m. Shawn and Marlon Wayans, subscriber survey planned this spring.

Comcast Cablevision of Baltimore County: Home Garden Television, a 24-hour network devoted to gardening, home remodeling and other domestic programs America's Talking, a two-way, all-talk channel (Note: Both these channels are available only in areas of the Comcast system where an extensive technology upgrade has 1 been completed.) Comcast Cablevlslon of Harford County: Home Garden Television Intermedia: Home Garden Television America's Talking fX, a mix of live original programming and syndicated reruns 4 Court TV (Note: It premieres March 1. from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., sharing Channel 22 with the Playboy Channel.) Jones Intertable (Anne Arundel County): Jones Computer Network, a 24-hour, consumer-oriented network about computers, produced by the cable system America's Talking Eternal Word Television Network 1 Steve McKerrow Subscribers to some Baltimore-area cable systems may have noticed new services on their channel array. Here Is a list of additions made on or around the new year (most are available on basic or extended basic plans): United Artists Cable of Baltimore: Court TV, the frequently live, real-courtroom-actlon network, arriving just in time for Baltimore City residents to watch the O.J. Simpson trial Television Food Network, including cooking shows and reviews of cookbooks, restaurants and other food fare Cable Health Club, offering exercise, fitness, health and lifestyle programming Prime Sports Showcase, covering women's and classic sports as well as current sports news The International Channel, with fare from around the world, presented in a 12-hour, twice-dairy cycle a channel that samples other programming on cable What about the Cartoon Network, the Sct-Fl Channel and ESPN2 frequently requested by United subscribers? Kathy Roberts, marketing manager, says mid-1995 is the next time the system will consider changing its channel lineup, after a deal in which the network pays the station to be an affiliate.

Prospective WB affiliates were asked to pay the network up to 25 percent of their revenues from network programs. WNUV plans to "ease Into" promotion of the UPN identity, says Mr. Marks. The reason for the delay Is to avoid further confusing the public, which has been bombarded with ads related to the network affiliation FrontPage IH parent of United Paramount, and Time WarnerTribune owner of Warner Bros. and both claim they are able to reach about 80 percent of the national viewing audience Initially.

Both plan to have seven nights of programming eventually, as well as children's programming and late-night fare. Mr. Marks, who Is also general manager of Baltimore Fox affiliate WBFF-TV (Channel 45). acknowledges that it will be difficult to establish a new national network. "I think that the fifth network doesn't compete with the fourth, but with all the others now," he says, the way Fox Broadcasting took on all three of the big networks eight years ago.

Fox achieved slow but successful growth by zealously seeking young viewers with shows like "Married With Children." "21 Jump Street and "Beverly Hills, 90210." Similarly, both UPN and WB have targeted audiences in the 18-34 age range, with UPN taking even more specific demographic aim at male audiences. The UPN lineup reflects "a pretty sound programming strategy," says Dave Robinson, senior vice president and media director of W. Doner a Baltimore advertising firm. In addition to "Star Trek: Voyager," other UPN series Include: "Marker," starring Richard Grieco, formerly of "2 1 Jump The Watcher." a supernaturally tinged thriller; "Platypus Man," about the host of a gourmet cooking show; and "Pig Sty about five young guys In a New York apartment Also, The Saturday Afternoon Movie" premieres this week at noon with "Call to Glory," starring Craig T. Nelson and Cindy Pickett There's a rule about programming for men: Put guys in uniforms with a lot of blinking lights." Mr.

Robinson Jokes. "Star Trek: Voyager" fits this strategy, he says. 'Star Trek" has proven itself over and over again," he notes even against the kind of skepticism that first greeted "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." The Next Generation." which projected the original "Star Trek" Into the future, ended its seven-season run last spring as the highest-rated syndicated series ever and moved on Into the movies, with "Star Trek Generations." "Deep Space Nine," the 2-year-old spinoff from The Next changes at WBAL, WJand WMAR. "You're not going to see us spending money foolishly when my competitors are," he notes of the big switch, which took place Jan. 1 By late spring or early summer, however, he says, the station will push the message that "We're Paramount seven days a week even if Paramount' series can be seen only two nights a week.

RADIO JANUARY 21-22 TgJ tJ3SOI1 SATURDAY NASCAR SUNDAY Ham-Bp DRIVER A pi RUSTY WALLACE I ftfwllt MS imsi'Lay I 1 ISf fcoVlg r-T) (147) lT a SffSJ Crfef ri MODELS PROVIDED BY i JOHN CASABLANCA'S (UnhuottmwiMNoM) PATRICK MULDOON Station identification FM stereo ttatlont WBJC (American Public Radio). 91.5 MHz. Classical music. WORK, 100.7 MHz. Rock.

WHf, 99.1 MHr Protygsswe rock. WIYY, 97.9 MHz. Album reck. WJHU (NPfi), 88.1 MHz. Newt and information, classical and jazz music.

WJFK, 106.7 MHz. Classic rockpersonalities. 1 groff. a UPN spokeswoman in Los Angeles. She notes that nationwide, 23 of the 96 UPN affiliates are "secondary affiliations," meaning they carry UPN programming along with shows from a primary affiliate.

The majority of these are Fox stations. Mr. Marks says WBFFAVNUV management had the option of going with either of the fledgling fifth networks. They felt UPN was "the strongest choice because it offered, among other things, a traditional ForA Continuing Studies Catalog, Call 410-225-2219. I V-.

-y BUS MOSS FAKS 1 ON DISPLAY BOTH DAYS TOOLOREUAiif cxrram 'i FAMOUS RACE CAR OF THE Jl rjyjj I mm" 7 II It As i II II Say, At prorasiorial Generation, also has been successful. In the Baltimore area, the new "Star Trek" has a further advantage because It will air In alliance with "Deep Space Nine," which Is carried on both WNUV in Baltimore and WDCA in Washington. Tomorrow night's premiere episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" begins aboard the Deep Space Nine space station. The Fox-UPN connection The connection between WNUV, a strong Fox station, and WBFF, a UPN affiliate Mr. Marks Is general manager at both Is the result of a lease agreement signed by their parent companies In May that allows WBFF to program WNUV In exchange for a fee and the right to sell advertising.

The pairing of the two stations Is "not unique," says Jennifer Wein- WUF, 101.9 MHz, light adult contemporary music. WWMX, 106 5 MHz. Bast variety. WfOC, 93.1 MHz. Modem country music.

WQM (UPI Audio), 105.7 MHz. Oldies music. (AP Audio). 95.1 MHz. Sacred music and religious programs.

mm, 103.1 MHz. Progressive freeform. WOCT, 104.3 MHz. Music of the 70s. WWW, 95.9 MHz.

Urban rantemporaiy music. WXCV, 103.7 MHz. Modem country music. WXYV, 102.7 MHz. Urban contemporary music.

Baltimore Arena If I imCi cfarjej I Then again, it could be an al ternative to the sitcom-swamped Tuesday-night schedule. But Sir Mlx-A-Lot? Tig Sty" (sitcom; 9:30 p.m. Jan. 23). Created by Dan Staley and Rob Long, co-executive producers of "Cheers." Five single guys and dog in two-bedroom apartment with closet dog house and gorgeous female building manager.

The concept: "Friends" meets The Odd Couple" and Three's Company," only sloppier. The outlook: Life with slobs can get ugly, not to mention wearing. Skip this and "Models Inc. on Fox, and watch "Cyblll" on CBS instead. "Platypus Man" (sitcom; 9 p.m.

Jan. 23). From "Golden Girls' executive producers Mort Nathan and Barry Fana-ro. Richard Jenl stars as a cable cooking-show host hungry for love. His bartender brother, best friend and neighbor add to the comedic hl-Jlnks.

The concept: Yet another vehicle for a smart-mouthed single guy and pals, like "Seinfeld." The outlook: The cable ccoklng-show scenario could be a recipe for clever garnishes and twists. Remember Betty White as man-hunting "Happy Homemaker Sue Ann Ntvens on The Mary Tyler Moore This one has the potential to cream "Models Inc. on Fox but should fall to "Murphy Brown" on CBS. ST. PETERSBURG BALLET January 25 5:30 P.M.

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