The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 37

Cos Angeles (Times 10 Part VI Tuesdav. August 14. lsN4 GOOD SHOWS IN SMALL PACKAGES TOO they are tall. slim, angular people of striking similarity. "Andrew Ru-vido and Roby Wessner" provides an abrupt contrast in side-by -side hands of two people Their palms (one turned in.

the other out) are caked with a dark, crusty substance. Issues of individual ulner-ability and family relationships disappear as focus on differences. "A Focus on California" is a spotty selection of works by 49 artists, plus a case of 100 artful cups from Betty Asher's collection. The show stretches in lime. size, material and attitude from Gerlrud and Otto Natzler's tiny bowl of red-orange glazed earthenware, made in 1944.

to Bruce Nauinan's nine-foot circle of neon phrases, called "Human Nature Life Death Know Doesn't Know" and created last year. Charles Eamcs' rosewood-and-leather lounge chair is here, as are John McLaughlin's austere abstraction. Kenneth Price's sculptural interpretation of a Southwestern curio shop and Ed Ruscha's ordplay in a painting and various drawings. "Focus," mounted to acquaint summer visitors with the state's recent aesthetic history, generally concentrates on local products As long as you accept the show as an introduction and don't expect a complete survey, it's an attractive assembly of considerable substance. Too bad that the accompanying checklist doesn't establish context, and that curators haven't provided newcomers with comments on the significance of the selections.

and drawing, she exposes vulnerability Where he examines laboratory specimens, she probes fragile living beings Part of the difference can be chalked up to medium. Close's works are formally beautiful paintings and drawings; MacNeil's platinum-palladium photographs on vellum tracing paper are affecting-ly real photographs. The paper resembles translucent skin When we look at soft images of near-lifc-size faces and hands printed on it. we seem to be seeing through skin to the exposed nerves of actual people. MacNeil's show consists of scrapbook-like pages on members of her family, six portraits of her brother made over the course of a year, selections from three series on academic parent -child juxtapositions and pictures of hands.

Almost all of them present accumulations of evidence. The album pages combine strips of mug shots with ID cards that establish the subject's residence, age and education. Consecutive portraits of Ronald MacNeil survey an ordinary -looking young man's attitudes and appearances, thus forming a composite portrait. Faculty and student groups (presented in separate portraits) lead us to generalize about MIT's intense fellows. Wellesley's relatively suave tenured professors and scruffy kids at the Rhode Island School of Design.

A series of five hands with outstretched fingers and up-held palms, belonging to members of the "Snyder Family," suggests that STEPHEN SHAMES center, confers with cast members, clockwise from left, "Comedy Zone" producer John Manulis Bill Randolph and Audrie Neenan. Mark Linn-Baker, Bob Gunton, Ann Lange, Joe Mantegna COMEDY ZONE' TAPS THEATER TALENT Continued from Pugt 1 exhibition accessible to a general audience We know we're in good hands as soon as catalogue author Ruth E. Fine begins her essay: "Whistler's art is divided its content and intentions. At one extreme are the portraits, which record the artist as an insider, secure and at ease with his friends and surroundings At the other extreme are the passages, windows and doorways, peopled ith anonymous figures: an outsider's glimpses at the ease of others." Though best known as a painter. Whistler made etchings throughout his career.

Fine chronicles their reflection of his aesthetic concerns, the influence of Velasquez. Rembrandt and Japanese prints, and his travels in France. England, Italy and the Netherlands. The exhibition covers much of this territory while revealing the Zelmans' interest in early states and proofs and rare subjects, including the artist's friends and supporters. Reacting to Ingres' Classicism and Delacroix's Romanticism.

Whistler considered himself a Realist, but his art has an aura of emotional idealism. Among his "insider" images are sensitive etchings of Bibi Valentin (the little daughter of a Parisian etcher and engraver) and a brooding portrait of French sculptor Charles Drouet. both done in 1859, four years after the young Whistler left America forever. In both, the Japanese penchant for contrasting compressed detail with open space is evident. Heads are intensely worked tips of triangles that fade off into scantly suggested bodies and open backgrounds.

Child and man are beautifully drawn presences, lost in thought but immediate in impact. Whistler's "outsider" prints-views of Venice canals, London streets and environs tend to keep both audience and artist at a distance. In "Black Lion Wharf," an 1859 view of London's waterfront, foreground figures are generalities while a row of buildings sparkles with detail. After its premiere in Los Angeles (the Zelmans' home), "Drawing Near" will travel to the universities of Wisconsin, Maryland and California (at Berkeley) and the Dallas Museum of Art. The surprise of the museum's unrelated threesome is Wendy MacNeil's show of biographical photographs.

She accomplishes something special by using a deadpan, mug -shot approach to portraituresimilar to Chuck Close's wrinkle-, pimple- and mole-rich style and making it almost painfully personal. Where he overlays depressing truths' of human imperfection with virtuosity of painting FORMER KNBC EXECUTIVE RETURNS TO TAKE TOP JOB ohn H. Rohrbeck. who spent nine years at KNBC Channel 4, rising to become the No. 2 Rohrbeck began his broadcasting career in TV sales in 1965.

He joined NBC as an account executive in June, 19G7, and became western sales manager for KNBC in January, 1969. He became director of sales for the station in 1973 and as named station manager in April. 1976. last year to help develop television and film projects. "I love the way theater people work and the voices they have, and they've had little exposure to the mass audience," Manulis said.

"But it's more a matter of their sensibilities, and the humanity they can bring to comedy sketches, than it is their (stage) credits that drew me to the idea. "Actually, this was the longest of several long-shot ideas," he said, acknowledging that several agents and others in the theater communi -ty had "grave doubts" that he and Rackmil could pull off the TV project. He said there was great skepticism that the various playwrights could adjust to a different kind of work in a different medium. The momentum for the show really got going, according to Rackmil. when Neil Simon agreed to write a six-minute sketch for one of the first pilot shows.

"The reality is that you need to be able to communicate in this medium and, honestly, to give the network people something or someone they can trust," Manulis said. It was the consensus on the set the other day that the playwrights are working differently on "The Comedy Zone" than writers on most other network programs. "They're writing solo, which is the way they're used to writing (for the stage)," said Manulis, adding that "even television writers, once they become successful, usually go off and write solo." He said that the corps of actors, writers and directors then pull together individual pieces for the show. Both Rackmil and Manulis credited CBS for taking "a hands-off" approach most of the time. "We're trying to work by compromise," Manulis said.

"The network is being very helpful, but after all it's an 8 p.m. show. They have the Middle-America audience and they're a conservative network, and they want us to work out." will be unfamiliar to the mass-TV audience, but they are well known to New York theatergoers: Mark Linn-Baker. Bob Gunton, Ann Lange, Joe Mantegna and Bill Randolph The show's seven regular writers are new to television, for the most part, but they are among the best -known names on and off Broadway: Jules Feiffer, Christopher Durang. Wendy Wasscrstein, Mark O'Donnell, John Bishop, John Ford Noonan and Jaston Williams.

Directing will be television director Joseph Catcs and stage director Gerald Gutierrez. Appropriately, the idea for the comedy hour did not initiate in a network board room or programming department, but in a New York apartment, over wine and conversation among New York theater folk. CBS reportedly came into the act as a result of a network programming executive accidentally spotting a one-page outline of the idea on the desk of one of these originators. "We would sit around every night thinking, and saying. 'What if what said Gladys Rackmil, "Zone" co-executive producer and executive producer of Nederlander Television and Film Productions recalling the initial brainstorming sessions.

"Theater people are very leery of TV people, especially network TV people, but they trust theater people. They know me, they knew the Nederlanders (for their chain of Broadway and regional theaters). "And they knew and respected John," she continued, referring to John Manulis, the co-executive producer who is credited by virtually everyone here with the idea for the comedy hour. Manulis, 27, is the son of veteran television producer Martin Manulis but his career until now has been in the New York theater, principally as a casting director and director at Off Broadway's Circle Repertory Company. Manulis was hired by Nederlander Productions By CI.ARKK TAYLOR NEW YORK-Outside.

it was thr kind of steamy summer day that makes New Yorkers think about hanging up their ambitions and heading for the beach. But inside an air-condi-tioned rehearsal hall here, six actors seemed to be stretching their talents to the limit to create a new TV comedy series, "The Comedy Zone." The five hourlong shows arc scheduled to air Fridays at 8 p.m.. starting this week. Steve Allen. Hob Dishy, Steve Landesberg and Penny Marshall are guests on the first segment.

"Comedy Zone" marks the latest attempt by one of the major networks to repeat the success of breakthrough comedy shows such as "Saturday Night Live." And some of the guest stars lined up, such as Jane Curtin. come out of that long-running NBC series. What's most unusual about "Zone." however, is the infusion of New York theatrical talent actors, writers, directors, even producersinto the creative corps of the show. "1 know how brutal television can be, and this is the best ticket I could write," said Audrie Neenan, an experienced Broadway and Off Broadway actress who recently left Home Box Office's continuing comedy series "Not Necessarily the News" to be a regular on "The Comedy Zone." "This team, not some television producer, is the star of the show, and we have been given the luxury of developing sketches and characters instead of telling quick jokes," she continued during a brief break from rehearsal at the sleek uptown studio recently refurbished by Modern Telecommunications Inc. It was here, in a larger studio, where "The Howdy Doody Show" and other early TV comedies originated.

Besides Neenan, the regular actors on "The Comedy Zone" show executive there, was named Monday to take command of the NBC-owned station as vice president and general manager. Rohrbeck has been general manager of WRC-TV, the NBC-owned station in Washington, D.C., since leaving KNBC in February, 1978. He succeeds Tom Straszewski, who resigned as KNBC general manager last Thursday in a dispute with his NBC superiors over what were termed "philosophical differences in management style." A KNBC spokeswoman said that while Rohrbeck's appointment was effective immediately, he will not actually begin work at the station's headquarters in Burbank until Sept. 1 because of a previously planned vacation. A native of Olympia, PRINCE TO JOIN ALICE" Jonathan Prince has been signed for a recurring role on "Alice" whore he ill be cast as Danny, a health club employee and a regular customer of Mel's diner.

Prince most recent ly was seen in the feature films "Private School" and "Halloween II." CHRYSLER ConitTl Scries at tULi PENN GETS WILD LIFE1 LEAD AM FM 9 p.m. Dragnet, stars Jack Webb as Sgt Joe Fuday. KNX (1070) 9:30 p.m.-Have Gun, Will Travel, stars John Dehnei as Paladin. KNX (1070) AM FOREIGN LANGUAGE Continuous KALI. KLVt FM.

KTNQ. KWKW (Spanish) KNSt, KABC 790 KGRB 900 KROQ 1510 KALI 1430 KHJ 930 KTNQ 1020 KBR1 740 KIEV 870 KTYM 1460 KDAY 1580 KLAC 570.KWIZ 180 KEZV 1190 KLIT 1220 KWKW 1300 KFAC 1330 KMDY 850 KWOW 1600 KFI 640 KMPC 710 KWRM 1370 KFRN 1280 KNX 1070 KZLA 1640 KFWB 980 KPPC 1240 XEGM 950 KGER 1390 KPRZ 1150 XPRS 1090 KGFJ 1230 KRLA 1110 XTRA 690 KGIL 1260 Penn's tour de force has a cast including Martin Sheen and his sons, Emilio and Charlie Estevez, Elizabeth McGovern, Dennis Hopper, Craig T. Nelson. Horton Foote Jr. and Diane Lane, among others.

Penn ran into many of them on the sets of the various movies in which he had acted. It was during this Vietnam stage of his life that he ran into "Fast Times" screenwriter Cameron Crowe, while visiting brother Sean during the shooting of that film. Crowe said in a separate interview that the meeting inspired him to include a character based on Penn in "The Wild Life," who dresses in fatigues and idolizes '60s music. Penn laughed when told of Crowe's story. "It's not exactly me, but I got a kick out of it.

Making 'Wild Life' was fun, and whether I act or direct, I've gotta be having fun." don tin ued from Page 5 finance his movie, entitled "Nobody's Heroes." "I went to about 75 of the stores and told them anything to get them to donate money or equipment. One time I went to a TV store and found out that the owner had gone to Canada during the war, so I gave him a 10-page synopsis that was completely anti-war. Then at another store, the guy was a reserve colonel, so I told him that we should have stayed in Vietnam." Penn flashed a grin and added, "With me, it was basically 'Gimme the The point of the film, he said, is not as much political, as an attempt to show how actual war looks. "It (the film) is pretty boring," he acknowledged, "but war is pretty boring too. It's not perfectly synchronized bombs; it's a lot messier." SPORTS 4 p.m.

Dodgeitalk, with Rud Funllo, Tommy Hawkins, lisa Bowman, KABC (790) 4:30 p.m. Baseball, Angels vs Tigers. KMPC (710). 5:30 p.m.-lun Healy, K1AC (570) 6 p.m. Sports Forum, with Fred Wallm, KFOX FM (93.5) 7:30 p.m.

Baseball. Mels vs Dodgers. KABC (790). TALK 10 a.m. Michael Jackson Show, Times writer Marylouise Oates and (11 a.m.) Assistant Secretary ot Stale Richard Burl are the guests.

KABC (790). Noon George Putnam's lalkback, Kl EV (870). Midnight Larry King Show, author Joe Mediums guests. KPRZ (1150). JUDY COLLINS SPECIAL GUEST STAR JESSE COLLIN YOUNG AUGUST 14 15.0014 001000 FM MUSIC: POP 6 a.m.

loe Huser's Morning Featured Artist, KKGO FM (105). 9 a.m. American Music, Kl ON (88.1). Noon Johnny Hayes Countdown. KRLA (1110).

1 p.m.-Alternoon lazz. K10N FM (88.1) 5 p.m.-Homelree. KMET FM (94.7). 6:30 p.m. lazz in the Evening.

KLON FM (88.1) NEWS COMMENTARY 3 a.m.-Mormng Edition, KCRW FM (89.9): 4 a.m.. KUSC FM (91 b). 5 a.m.. KCSN FM (88 b), K10N FM (881), KPCCFM (89.3). KSBR FM (88.5).

8 a.m.-Radioscope, KACE FM (103 9) 4 p.m.-AII Things Considered. KCRW FM (89.9), KCSN FM (88.5). KPCCFM (89 3); 4:30 p.m.. KUSC FM (91.5); 5 p.m.. KLON fM (88.1).

6 p.m. Evening News. KPFK FM (90 7) 6 p.m. Business Times. KUSC FM (91.5).

6:30 p.m. MacNeillehrer NewsHour. KUSC FM (91.5) (simulcast with KCET Channel 28). Continuous KFWB. KNX TICKETS AVAILABLE AT ALL TiCKETRON LOCATIONS OR CHARGE BY PHONE TELETHON (213)410-1062 KACE 103 9 KJLH 102 3 KPCC 89.

KBIG 104 3 KJOI 98 7 KPFK 90 7 KBOB 98 3 KKGO 105 1 KROO 106 7 KBPK 90 1 KKHR 93 1 KRTH 101.1 KCPB 91 1 KLON 88 1 KSAK 90 1 KCRW 89 9 KLOS 95 5 KSBR 88 5 KCSN 8B5KLVE 107 5 KSPC 88 7 KEZY 95 9 KMAX 107 1 KSRF 103 1 KFAC 92 3 KMET 94.7 KUCI 88 9 KFOX 93 5 KMGG 105 9 KUSC 915 KFSG 96 3 KNAC 106 5 KUTE 101 9 KGIL 94 3 KNHS 89 7 KWIZ 96 7 KHOF 99 5 KNJO 92 7 KWVE 107 9 KHTZ 97 1 KNOB 97 9 KXLU 88 9 KIIS 102 7 KNTF 93 5 KYMS 106 3 KIKF 94 3 KOCM 103 1 KZLA 93 9 KIQQ 100 3 KOST 103.5 INTERVIEW Noon Luncheon at the Music Center, KFAC (1330 AM. 92 3 FM) Noon The Astrology Hour, with Farley Malotrus. KFOX FM (93.S). 12:30 p.m.-Bob Gourley Show. KMAC (107 FM).

2 p.m. Let's Talk Money. KIEV (870) 4 p.m. Paul Wallach Show, guest is Gil Saldana. mayor ol Avalon on Catahna.

KIEV (870) CLASSICAL MUSIC 9 a.m. Adventuies in Good Music. KFAC (1330 AM. 92 3 FM) 8 p.m.-tvemng Concert. KFAC (1330 AM.

92 3 FM). 9 p.m. Library ol Congress Chamber Music Series, works by Mozart and Brahms. KUSC FM (91.5). 10 p.m.

Ambassador Hour, operatic selections. KFAC (1330 AM, 92.3 FM). Bnem Show. KABC Midnight-Ray (790). WORDSMITH Jack SmithColumnist Sunday throuah Thursday Our Great Getaway Offer Makes San Diego a Pleasure, DRAMA 3D p.m.

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