Calgary Herald from Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 46

Television D14 CALGARY HERALD Thursday, June 6, 1996 Funny guy is in late-night game for the long haul J8DW llud TIM GOODMAN Show by committee. I finally said: 'Let's ratings. "They drive everything." But he tries not to focus too much on them, as the late-night period. Many people believed that Leno, teetering from his bad start, would fall. But he hasn' t.

He has endured and some in the network do: "You're V- prospered. He has been there every night. "The thing that impressed me was that no matter what was going on in the world, Johnny was there doing the monologues," slipping with immature boys between 10 and 12. Can you do something with the Power Rangers?" For a while, Leno Leno says, looking back. "Your job is to entertain people, to keep things going." Despite it all, that's what Leno was up against tough competition.

People thought that go back to what got me the And that was being smooth, comfortable and funny. Leno said he noticed a change in the show "once we got on the new set." Its more intimate feel, with people close to the stage, has made Leno feel more at home. To make the show better, he did some tweaking. "The road gigs (Leno was recently in Chicago) are one thing that helps. The trick is to get out of the studio as much as possible." Another consistent aspect is his stand-up routine a natural.

"The monologue seems to work well. Comics will tell you that you'll come up with maybe one good idea out of 10." In the past, Leno admits, there wasn't enough screeningthe nine other ideas made it in to the monologue and fell flat. These days he's sharper. Leno also says that some of the regular bits like headlines, Beyondo, Iron Jay, "the brain thing" and his man on the street skits are something of which to be proud. He's also be has been doing.

As the days drop slowly away, he settles in for the long haul. Arsenio Hall, Pat Sa-jak, Joan Rivers and Dennis Miller would be serious com 14 5 petition in Knight-Ridder Newspapers They say that time is an avenger. If so, perhaps Jay Leno's time has come. It would be difficult for almost anyone in entertainment to enter the spotlight as badly as Leno did. So bad they wrote a book about it.

And made a movie, too. Leno's ascendancy to the Tonight Show throne is well documented. His manager choreographed his take over from Johnny Carson in such a way that Leno never acknowledged Carson on his first night behind the desk. Bad move. Along with a lot of bad blood in Hollywood, stirred up by his manager, it didn't help that Leno seemed uncomfortable, out of place.

David Letterman was crushing him in the ratings. Finally, after Letterman is king for 90 weeks, Leno wins. Why? Leno doesn't even know the reason. Some point to the fact his show had actor Hugh Grant's first public appearance since his little sexcapade with a hooker. The ratings were great.

And Leno was good as well. Sex and money always lure people in, Leno says, but viewing patterns take a long time to change. In any case, Leno has won the ratings war regularly since Grant's appearance. Barring some unforeseen change, he'll probably stay there. He is becoming, slowly, like Carson and Jack Paar before him, an institution.

He was named to replace Carson in 1991. He took over the job in 1992. Every night, without fail, he's been there. Leno remembers his very first day, taping a bit with a Tonight Show band member's newborn baby "The other day his daughter walks in here she's almost five. That's when you notice it.

You say: 'Hey, I've been doing this for a It's almost enough to forget the early days, though Leno is not put out by talking about them. "It's my fault," he says. "I let myself get talked into some things I shouldn't have. The first six or seven months, we were doing The Tonight come a better interviewer, something that still plagues Letterman after all these years. "The real trick is to be a comedian for 25 minutes, then you put that away and try and be an interviewer.

There are times when you've got a joke and you want to use it but you can't. A lot of comics who fill in often make the mistake of winning the fight, but losing the battle, at the expense of one (upset) guest." Although things are clicking, Leno seems only too aware of the Interview JAY LENO hosts The Tonight Show, airing at 12:30 a.m. weekdays on Channels 3 5. A-Channel promises to be different Grammer joins comedy award list LOS ANGELES (AP) Kelsey Grammer has joined a mighty list of comedians in winning the Jack Benny Award. Grammer won the prestigious award this week from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Previous winners include Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, George Burns and Lily Tomlin. Schedule will be heavy on Canadian content NANCY TOUSLEY Calgary Herald Weekly TV fare on the proposed A-Channel will be noticeably different from the competition if it wins approval from the CRTC, says broadcast executive Drew Craig. The Manitoba-based Craig Broadcast Systems has made applications for autonomous television stations in Calgary and Edmonton. On each station, the A-Channel would feature city-specific local programming, live news and a roster of prime-time shows heavy on Canadian content, which would include independent Alberta productions developed and supported through a $14 million Drama Fund. The broadcaster, which will make Alberta its primary focus if the licences are approved, intends to contribute significantly to Canadian content, Craig said at a press conference this week.

"Over the course of the licence term (seven years), we will contribute no less than 35 per cent of annual gross revenue to Canadian content," Craig said, "and we will average 38 per cent which will equate with more than $96 million being spent on Canadian productions." Applications for new stations in Alberta have also been filed by Can West Global Communications, another Manitoba-based company. The CRTC hearings in Calgary will be held on July 15. New Alberta licences have been turned down consistently for the past several years. Unsuccessful applications from both of the current hopefuls were heard in 1994. Craig said the new A-Channel proposal is not a "rehash" but has been redesigned and will be complementary to that of existing broadcasters.

If A-Channel goes ahead, prime-time programming in the 8-10 p.m. slots will concentrate on made-for-TV movies, theatrical releases and mini -series that are unavailable on other channels, with productions coming from independent Alberta and Canadian producers and sources in the United States, such as the Fox Network and Paramount. Nightly news coverage is planned to begin at suppertime with Live at 5, followed at 6 p.m. by a personality-driven week-day program called Calgary Interactive (or Edmonton Interactive). The design of this show calls for a panel of guests who will discuss issues of the day, with input from viewers taken by telephone, fax or the Internet.

To produce live, local news coverage, the application describes Calgary and Edmonton stations equipped with four mobile news units each. Craig said the two stations have the potential to create 278 new jobs, with an equal number of employees at each one. Interactive programming for children, aboriginal productions made by aboriginal producers, and arts and entertainment features in a varietymagazine format on every newscast, spotlighting local talent, are also part of the A-Channel proposal. PLAY AND WIN! Irl 1 6:00 I 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 (T) News (CC) 74186 i Seinfeld Home Imp. Jake and the Kid 6877 ER (R) (CC) 9341 Due South jR) (CC) 9728 CTV News News News NBCNews News Inside Edit.

Jeopardy! Wheel Friends ISingle Guy Seinfeld (R) (CC) 918506 ER (R) (CC) 192631 fjp NHl Hockey: Florida Panthers at Colorado Avalanche. (Live) (CC) 610186 Fr.Prince Health NationalCBC News (CC) News I MOVIE (3D News 983 Tonight Simpsons Simpsons Highlander 1709 Friends Single Guy Seinfeld (R) (CC) 4032 News 5419 Sports News ABC News News Roseanne Home Imp. M'A'S'H Sex, Progs MOVIE Commish: In fte Shadow of the Gallows Cj) The CFCN Evening News Picture Crooks Perceptions 1996 Galaxi Awards 9272186 Take No Prisoners Events CI Hockey de la ligue nationale (live) Telejournal Le Point SportMeteo Enfer c'est Simplement Videoclips MOVIE (B News ICBSNews iNews I EXTRA Simpsons Seinfeld Murder, She (R) (CC) Rescue 911 (R) (CC) 48 Hours (CC) 373525 flD jjp I News Hotline Acorn: Nut AHvel 5167 Accidental Empires Destirios jDestinos Lead Uad UJ News jHotlline PBS Sandiego Business NewsHourJim Lehrer Carnegie: Landmark Mystery! (Part 2 of 3) (R) Lovejoy 931322 Austin City Limits (B NW The Lead Face Off Pamela Wallin live (CC) National (Magazine Fashion Gilmour Nal'INews Sports Fashion Gilrnom- 03 RDTV NHL Hockey: Florida Panthers at Colorado Avalanche. (Live) (CC) 683542 M'A'S'H ET NationalCBC News (CC) Movie Sh. TalesCrypt QD VISN Highway to Heaven (CC) Children's Together Bless Me Time of Life MOVIE Cheers tor Miss Bishop ('41) 2998780 Skylight Grief 63 YTV Rugrats Flintstones Rupert St.

Bugito Panther The Dark? Anti-Gravity Cap. Power Tarzan A Heartbeat Rough Guide (CC) MUCH AIMusit 3 61)438 VideoFtow Fax203186 Spotlight AIMusic 3 331780 BDWTN M.T.Moore GirlTalk ISong Birds 51815 iThrough the Lens (CC) Take 3 (CC) 57099 LHutton M.T.Moore I Song Birds 33693 B3TLC 0-Day Heroes 584544 Patton and Third Army NeatStutf jAmerlca D-Oay Heroes 756051 Patton and Third Army Heat Stuff America EBTSN (5:30) Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees. (Live) (CC) 255083 SportsDesk (CC) 925761 Extreme C. Snyder Golf Meadows 83 Biography Ancient Mysteries Voyages 943167 Law Order 956631 Biography Ancient Mysteries EB NASH Life of Jimmie Rodgers Prime Time Country 600341 Club Dance 328761 C'tryNews Life of Jimmie Rodgers Prime Time Country BP CNN PrlmeNews Politics Larry King Live (CC) The World Today Sports Moneyllne Newsnlght Showbiz Politics SportsLate 60 SHOW Bordertown EastEnders Red Green SCTV Hidden Rm Hitchcock Hitchhiker Halifax F.P. 751148 MOVIE Ladybird Ladybird SB LIFE Doctor Outdoors AtAuction Jennings Real Life 9078506 Doctor Outdoors AtAuction jgnning8 Real Life 9431780 ED FOX StepStep Fr.Prince Cops Wanted Patrol ET Martin The Show N.Y.

Undercover (R) (CC) Swift Justice (R) (CC) EBDISC WildHfe(CC) 196322 Divine Magic 398693 Magic Wonder Discovery.ca (CC) Wildlife (CC) 397964 Divine Magic 910099 S3BRAV Atwood: Once in Aug. MOVIE The Handmaid's Tale 90) 8499438 Python The Saint 241631 M0VIE Jubal 56) 7841983 CNBC Politics Equal Time" Rivera Live 7032896 Charles Grodm 7041544 America After Hours jRivera Live 7031 167 Charles Grodln 3835148 SDSC (5:00) MOVIE Star MOVIE Solar Force (95) 2010525 Reel Entr MOVIE Silent Hunter (1995. Action) 2549324 MOVIE Shallow Grave QDMMAX (5:30) MOVIE Return to MOVIE Rooster Cogburn (1975. Western) 369341 MOVIE One More Train to Rob (71) 779544 MOVIE Theatre of Death CB WTBS (6:05) MOVIE Your Cheatm' Heart (Color) 9329525 (8:05) MOVIE The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991. Mmiseries) Kenny Rogers.

82219964 CBWSBK MOVIE North Dallas Forty (79) 41438 News M'A'S'H M'A'S'H Cheers Honeying Patrol LHutton PaidProg. 03 FAM Spirou Top Secret IVanDyKe MOViEGoofys Guide to Success MOVIE Till the Clouds Roll By (1946. Biography) 957322 MOVIE mm i i K'i "Kf 1 II ill 1 'I'll Hi 'I II Bin Hi DEAD MAN JOHNNY DEPP A JIM JARMUSCH FILM 7:00 9:30 PLAZA NIGHTLY STARTS TOMORROW subjecTtoH Check Fudav's FAMOUS PLAYERS MOVIEGUIDE CLASSIFICATION )hoalroc chiWirr 1.7""? MATURE Gory violence, coarse language MATINEE SPECIAL! iwlrf (af performances prior to 7 p.m. Natasha Richardson, Robert Duvall, FayeDunaway 266-4480 4th Floor MacLeod Trail 4 Anderson Rd. 278-1300 UPDATES 10 a.m.

Maury talks with parents whose babies were switched at birth, Ch.8. 11 a.m. Geraldo interviews La Toya Jackson, Ch. 16. 4 p.m.

Oprah interviews Ann Landers, Ch. 3. EDDIE (PG) 6:459:15 and Aidan Quinn star in Hollywood's ver Rescue 911 on Ch. 12. 10 p.m.

Eartha Kitt guest stars on New York Undercover, in which J.C. masquerades as a Harlem high-school student, Ch. 34. 10:30 p.m. Glen Ford stars as a young drifter in Jubal (1956), a deftly made western based on the story of Othello.

Ernest Borgnine plays the husband and Valerie French is his sensuous new wife, while Rod Steiger plants the seeds of jealousy On Ch. 36. Nancy Tousley (PG)1 Mon Wed 7:00 9:30 Tue 1 :00 3:30 7:00 9:30 violent scenes 7:3010.00 Tue 1 :30 4:00 7:30 1 0:00 violent scenes EDDIE (PG)' 7:20 9:40 Tue 1 :20 3:40 7:20 9:40 coarse language TWISTER (PG)' 7:15 9:50 Tue 1:15 3 50 7.159.50 SPY HARD (PG) 7:10 9.20 Tue 1:10 3:00 4:45 7:10 9:20 not suitable lor young children Tue 1:15 3:30 6:45 9:15 coarse language MISSIONilMPOSSIBLE (PG) 7:00 9:45 jTue 1:30 4.15 7:00 9:45 violent scenes 7:3010:15 Tue 2:00 4:45 7:30 10:15 violent scenes MISSIONilMPOSSIBLE (PG)' 7:009:45 Tue 1:30 4:15 7:009:45 violent scenes TWISTER (PG) 7:15 10:00 Tue 1:45 4:30 7:15 10.00 SPY HARD (PG)' 7:15 9:30 Tue 1 00 3.00 5:00 7 15 9 30 not suitable for young children TWISTER (PG)' 7:45 10:15 Tue 2:15 5:00 7:45 10:15 T.T I Don't Blink or You'll Miss it! Shaganapp Trail 432 Ave. N.W. 288-6166 SPEED Explore the evolution of going FAST in awesome 70 mm sion of Canadian writer Margaret Atwood's The Handmaiden's Tale (1990), a futuristic, feminist fable that stands out amid the mass of summer repeats.

On Ch. 36. 7:30 p.m. On Roseanne, Darlene is mortified when her mother takes her class on a field trip to the supermarket for career day at school, Ch. 8.

8:30 p.m. Elaine lets on that her romance with Jerry wasn't everything it was cracked up to be on Seinfeld, giving George a partner in the realms of self-doubt. On Ch. 12. p.m.

And now for something completely different! An 8 foot Burmese python attacks a woman on II ry hour from 1 1mm to spm OFCOURACE mnd from 7pm to 9pm IN OUR DISCOVERY DOME 291-0919 THE FIRST DRAMATIC FILM IN IMAX'. '685 36 St. N.E. TWISTER (PG)' 7:15 10:00 Tue 1:45 4:20 7:15 10:00 TWISTER PG) 7:45 10:15 Tue 1:153:50 7:45 10:15 (PG)" 7:30 1010 Tue 1:304:107:30 10:10 violent scenes 7:00 9:45 Tue 1 :00 3:40 7:00 9:45 violent scenes EDDIE (PG) 7:10 9:50 Tue 1:10 4:00 7:10 9 50 coarse ianguaae SPY HARD (PG)' 7Zj 9:15 Tue 1:05 3 00 4 45 7.209 15 not suitable lor young children fmm VnVtm mt HrtticJttiEirjts MISSIONilMPOSSIBLE (PG)' 720 9:55 violent scenes TWISTER (PG)' 7:00 9:40 Tnkecs at TKxrc Boi (jffm CHARGE BVPHEjI Croof bookings of 3 or more: HT4-Ii. stirnng Lntc Tun Hukr tliatkib McUkctb.

HitHurWrmr. tt10 OF C(H KAOE POl BIE FEATl'M-: Vwn 4 WV.S 01 OA RAO! EDDIE (PG) 7:30 9 45 coarse language fro t. rn jun. Tr fc let? vhj bmiiic ISPY HARD (PG)' 7:10 9:03 not su'taWe lor youig children BKttTJtS In LMAX (with tiitn -it Ik Nflt lt JfKTt tt TpTTl- iiviax: CALGARY.