Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 58

Entertainment TV D-a Santa Cruz Sentinel Sunday, Feb. 22, 1987 Even networks The state of the Knack hate sweeps The Knack has indeed returned, not only with its original members but with a longtime Santa Cruzan Irvin Kramer as additional keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist. ty has now been reserved exclusively for the cover songs, like "Not Fade Away," which sound wonderful. Finally, the band's attitude is also oddly split. Facing a crowd which was obviously in love with the band, a staff which was thrilled to have them there, and benchfulls of journalists there to support them, the Knack still thought it necessary to use all the techniques that amateurs do to stir up the crowd: the "yeah, rock 'n' roll" number, the rather offensive "I'm only talkin' to the girls here, not the guys" schtick; even yelling repeatedly at at the audience when they weren't listening to a particularly pointless story.

Yelling, mind you, at an audience which loved them and obviously cherished their very presence in the room, whether they even performed, or just stood and smiled. But still, the lead singer yelled. By the end of the evening, it was evident why the Knack was abandoned by its audience: the band has no idea what its strengths are, no idea that its audience loves it for certain things or what those things are, no cognizance that audiences deserve to be treated decently and not even one of the band's members having to hold his ears could convince the group turn to down its volume. And that, through the eyes and ears of someone who would love to like them more, is Where They Are Now. By BOB WISE HART McCUtchy Newt Service This has happened to you After weeks of complaining that nothing is on, suddenly everything you want to see is on opposite everything else you want to see.

In television, it's called the sweeps. In the real world, it's called (insert the expletive of your choice) Nobody outside television cares about the sweeps except when they're irritating, which they always are when lavish miniseries, special television movies, popular theatrical films, and specials bump heads and knock each other off. OK, most of them are among the living dead anyway, but that's another column. You might be surprised to learn that the networks hate the sweeps as much as the rest of us. Nobody makes a $30 million television show to watch it get creamed by somebody else's $30 million television show.

The sweeps are important only to local stations. Advertisers use ratings counted during the sweeps periods in February, May, July, and November for local television commercial-time buys. A high-rated prime-time network show delivers a big audience to an affiliate's 11 p.m. news, which during the sweeps is stuffed full of "special" reports on Teen Sex! UFOs! All Kinds of Weird Diseases! Details at 11! Affiliates are deliriously happy when that happens. Networks like happy affiliates, delirium is a local option, so they put up with the fraud.

The current sweeps run from Feb. 4 to March 3, according to the Arbi-tron or from Feb. 5 to March 4, says the A.C. Nielsen Co. But, except for ABC's fabled and ultimately failed miniseries "Amerika" this week I admit that's like saying, "Except for that brontosaurus in your living room" the sweeps are awfully quiet this time around.

There are only three miniseries, for instance. At four hours last week, "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" was really an extended movie that ended not a moment too soon. Poor Ann-Margret was running out of wigs. "Amerika" lumbers to an end Sunday.

March 1 starts eight hours of heavy breathing from the Judith Krantz novel "I'll Take Manhattan," known as "I'll Fake Manhattan" because it was shot in Toronto as was, ironically, more than half of "Amerika." Once you learn "I'll Take Manhattan" stars Valerie Bertinelli, there's nothing left to say. Potential heavy-hitters to come include "Love Among Thieves," a caper movie with the wonderful Audrey Hepburn and the world's best-tailored empty suit, Robert Wagner; Richard Chamberlain pitching woo as "Casanova" March and Gena Rowlands in "The Betty Ford Story" March 2. It's a sure sign of creative drought when television draws on its past for its future. Tuesday, Allen Flint will show how much he's enjoyed making fools of people on "Candid Camera: The First 40 Years." Telly Savalas fans, who could hold a convention in a telephone booth, will be pleased by his return in "Kojak: The Price of Justice" Saturday. Old baldy shows up again in "The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission," March 1, which unearthed another relic named Vince Edwards.

The incredible hulking Raymond Burr fills the screen in "Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love" Monday. New spins oh old shows are cheaper than new ideas, which explains why the most sophisticated communications device known to man blighted the world with last week's "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" marriage. Pulses still are pounding from that one. Frank Sinatra does a star turn on "Magnum, P.I." Wednesday, when 01' Blue Eyes meets The Mustache.

Sunday the "Facts of Life" went to Australia. The bad news is that it didn't stay there. Unlimited treasure it isn't. Ever so slowly, the sweeps are creeping away. They are too expensive, for one thing, with the networks now in the hands of people whose idea of a madcap time is to squeeze 11 pennies out of a dime.

After 30 years, it's finally dawned on the right people that this is a fantastically stupid way to run a business. There's a movement building to count who's watching all year around, instead of only a few times a year, and it's just barely possible that's a good idea. At least television wouldn't be in such a frenzy four months, and so listless and arid the other eight. It's time to spread it around. From riches or manure, we'll need a great big shovel.

before they formed, and inserting a new element: a fantastic set of exciting rhythm ideas. "My Sharona," which the band saved till last, still sounded as powerful as it had seven years ago. Other tunes from the LP that featured "Sharona," specifically "She's So Selfish," had that same sparkle, and drove even people who'd never heard the song before wild. Not one single new piece of new material showed any rhythmic thought, let alone melodic excitement; that wondrous rhythmic quali ENDS REVIVAL TbeSiveU 7:00 RulesOf The Game SCREEN I At 7:00 A 10:30 "rue rAinru ruiin II ins uviiVKii vnikw (PG-13) "CRITICAL CONDITION" SCREEN At 7:00 10:30 "CROCODILE DUNDEE" (PG-13) "FERRIS BUELLERS DAY OFF' (PC) MJU)MY AWAKD NOMINEE-BEST POHE1GN PliM "SPONTANEOUSLY NY. Timea THE DECLINE OF THE lmlut AMERICAN EMPIRE "-i a aouw awamd hohiImucik mcLUDno iom nennur A ROOM WITH A VIEW NIGHTLY TOt 9.21 (t 3:00 I SM SUN.) ACADKtlT AWARD HOMBm BEST ACTOB-BOS BOSSUtS 'BEAUTIFUL, LUSHLY LA.

Times MUNA LISA (4 9J0.4.4J3UN.) ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY." -MAI UN. FNTtRTAIN.MFNT TONK.HT KaSS OR MYTH? ONCt NIGHT IT 6,30 2.40 SOfT) TMI Of TUB TKAJIt 10 UST." itnft tenon Round Midnight ONCE NH3HUY fcOS 4, 10 SUN.) Jewish Film Festival Begins Tonight at 7:00 p.m. Call 423-3012 for Information STARTS THURSDAY Critical Condition A No Morcy He's back! Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia affectionately known as "the fat man" to his legioni of fans returns to the Santa Cruz Civic Tuesday night. Garcia Is back performing after a serious illneii sidelined him several months ago. Tickets to the Garcia show are available in advance at Cymballne Records, the Civic Box Office and all BASS outlets.

Showtime is 8 p.m. Drummer offers music class Percussionist Sybl Glebow offers a one-day intensive "Music as a Language" course Sunday, March 1. Glebow, drummer with the free-jazz trio Heroines and a specialist in the art of improvisation, will offer ideas and techniques evolved from her 15 years as a percussionist and performer. Simple "found" instruments will be used to amplify such skills as listening and timing. Persons will no musical experience, as well as those who want to enhance their improvisational skills, are welcome.

Class size is limited. Call 427-3533 for registration information. NitNiAinmtfli Viuiui (FAMILY NICHT THURSDAY ALL J1ATJ '300 "PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED" IPG-13) Fit. 7:00. 10:60 Sit.

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906 SAT. SUN. ONLY "AN AMERICAN TAIL" (Gl Sat 12:45.2:25 Sun. 12:46. 2:25 ItAMT Mitt TMI UHilNIL I I By PAUL WAGNER Sentinel Correspondent One of the more fascinating features found in your daily newspaper is the occasional "Where Are They Now?" column, dedicated to tracing the fates of the once-celebrated.

Even more fascinating is going. In person, to see Where They Are Now, especially if you once enjoyed them. It was partly, at least, in this spirit that a lot of folks gathered to see the Knack at O.T. Price's Thursday evening. One of the few American pop bands to find huge success at the turn of the decade, the Knack became a major popular phenomenon so quickly that they even spawned instant secondary industries dedicated to riding their wave.

"Nuke the Knack" campaigns and "Honk if You've Slept With Sharona" bumper stickers were themselves as profitable as the group's own products, and it seemed that another Beatle-like movement was under way. But, a second LP sounded, to both radio programmers and most of the public, rather charmless compared to the first; the third LP satisfied even less. Soon, the Knack disappeared into that chasm that seems to swallow-up most pop wonders, never to return. But, the Knack has indeed returned, and returned not only with its original members but with a longtime Santa Cruzan Irvin Kramer as additional keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist. So: Where Are They Now? Well, for one thing, the foursome is still friendly, spirited and In love with performing.

From the moment the Knack launched into its opening "TequilaBreak on Through" cover-song segue, the smiling, bouncy lead singer Doug Fieger ari band rocked the crowd like only lovers of the stage can do. Featuring a strong rhythm section and a highly skilled guitarist, the band virtually shredded its way through its songs, and held most of the crowd spellbound with its seemingly limitless energy. The material performed reflected the same dichotomy. The Knack originally made its fortune from taking formula pop, worn out a decade Oscar Nominations for "COLOR OF MONEY" Include BEST ACTOR PAUL KEWMAH A BEST SUPPORTIVE ACTRESS -W MART ELIZABETH MASTRANTONIO JL BEST SCEENPLAT 3 Daily Oscar Nominations for "TOP GUN" Include SPECIAL EFFECTS 1 SOUND EFFECTS JL ORIGINAL SONG Sun. Oscar Nominations for "PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED" Include BEST ACTRESS KATHLEEN TURNER 7:00 Oscar Nominations for "CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD" A UCJOAS BE8T PICTURE BEST ACTOR WILLIAM HURT BEST ACTRESS MAULS HATLDt Sun.

2:50, 6:55 6:55 VAtihEts OAlLr 4I PLAYHOUSE DEL MAR 3 4IST 4 CArllOa 10 47A-M4I MIA FARM3W-DUNNE WlEST-DIANE KEATON TSSy "RADIO DAYS" DAtLV 1 20 3 30-f 30 "LIGHT Of DAY" ipgiji i io- tn20 M.U0 4CAMMV AMTAMO MOMMM "CRIMES Of THE HEART ro-m io- i KTTt MMOUR SHEUEY LONG "OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE" DAILY 1 3a 3 30-ft 30-7 ftO-ft ftO r.u.nr.m.'i ANCHO OH MAI CNfl tft-4I4l ANDMVVMeCAMTM KIM CA THAU "MANMff OUtM" (fGI JO OH at ft mm or; to- Mt i to MTTAH ttfcOlM ftATMfi WAftO TMI MOOO Win" (A) OD iOO 1000 ft ft km 20 "Hard Traveling' released on video "Hard Traveling," a feature-length theatrical film shot entirely on location in Santa Cruz County, has been released in home video format by New World Video. Shire Films produced the film locally in 1984. Writer-director Dan Bessie adapted the script from a novel by his father Alvah Bessie. Set in the Depression era, it tells of a hobo who befriends the widowed The Jewish Film Festival 1987 CLASSIFIED PAGES GALA OPENING Sunday, February 22nd, 7 PM "Charlotte" "Our Time in the Garden' $10.00 sponsored by the Good Times mother of two young sons before he is driven to an act of senseless violence. Ellen Geer and J.E.

Freeman star, with numerous local actors featured in smaller parts. Nationally "Hard Traveling" has played film festivals from Seattle to Park City, Utah; internationally it has also screened festivals in Florence, Italy and San Sebastian, Spain. SCREEN II NOWII Shows at 65 4 9 15(1 Bargain ShoSun 4 15 25) i ii i "rn SCREEN I NOWI rH Today A 0 EH ii Monday, February 23rd, 7:30 PM "Spark Among the Ashes $5.00 sponsored by County Bank Trust Tuesday, February 24th, 7:30 PM "Issac in "Brighton Beach" LOW COST. HELPFUL AD-VISORS. HIGHEST READERSHIP IN THE COUNTY.

Santa (Lrus Srntinel JUST PHONE 426-8000 UNITED All SEATS 3.00 FOR FIRST 2 MATINEE FILMS ADMISSION TAX OF 5 IN EFFECT BY ORDER OF SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL (41st AVE. APTOS TWIN NOT AFFECTED) 324 Front St 426- 94091 sponsored by the Santa Cruz Seaside Company Wednesday, February 25th, 7:30 PM "1,000 Little Kisses" $5.00 sponsored by Senate Sofa Bed Robert DeNiro Jeremy Irons MISSION nimniriiimmira I 134 FACJHC. SANTA CIUJ 41 -01 "CHOCOOiLf DOMOCI IPG3r DAILY EXCEPT SAT 12 40-2 60 ft 20-7 48 4ft AMMAN AMD MR ftltTMt" IP0 131 DAILY IXQIP1 SAT I.OO-J tft-ft 30-7 MMO TWO ACAOWMT AMMJIO MOMfMAnOMt mcLuomm mr omwmai iom "UTTLI SHOP OF 11) OAKY 12 SO 30OS 10-7 20-9 10 KHM ACAfWMV AWAMO MOM rM A HOWS MKLVPMM HT VrSUAi. mCT "STAR TREK IV fTO) DAH.V 12 JO-2 4ft ROO-7 3O-10O0 I1M IVM IANTA CffUl 4)A 1 324 Front St. 426-9409 Sunday Oniyl 7 Ail films at the Capitola Theater, 120 Monterey Avenue downtown Capitola No reserved seating.

No refunds. Series tickets $20.00. Available through Temple Office Shampoochez Call 423-3012 for further informaton. Tickets: Bookshop Santa Cruz Capitola Book Cafe Bookworks in Rancho Del Mar Nominated: Best Documentary Feature -A DC BRA WINCIM TMI BfcSA ftUSSCL "BLACK WIDOW" im rm ift 7 3o-t 3 SAT 4 SUN lOO-SOIVft 1ft-7 Of WO A' 'rtlAvnrwNP tmf I TO ftOOUtl AVI IAMTA CIU2 413-3O00 ll Ff OWVf A MIAN KEITH "Of ATM BEFORE DISHONOR" i tm ft 4ft 4ft 1 4ft SAT ft SUN 1 4ft 4ft ft 4ft 7 4ft 4ft uw flMW ACAMMT A MM AO $3 iiii-i -i.