Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 37

Sentinel Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997 ifcS Entertainment Here come the Emmys Wednesday night 'fights' back on TV We'll see who wins what, and who's wearing what to awards I S3 1 I lt 'tit ftin mi i i ic no a i xw at in ni fftl AARON BARNHART The Kansas City Star LAST MAY FANS could view the season finale of "3rd Rock From the Sun" using a pair of 3-D glasses. This season, when that show signs on at its new time, viewers may need three TV sets or a VCR that records in triplicate. Whether by design or by accident, "3rd Rock" on NBC, "The rirm It 11 tX SI 1 1 irrffl 1 i to aggravate us," Rhode said wijh a laugh. i i "They know that two of the shows are going to be left behind, but my guess is they feel thoirs is the one that isn't.

Maybe these people don't have any reasop to spread those shows out." That's pretty close to the truth, according to Bob Flood with Dje-Witt Media, which buys advertising on network TV for its clienti "I don't know if this was a specific attempt to pit their best programming against one another as much as it was the networks' looking at their audience riowj" Flood said. Networks are less concerned about ratings for a particular show than they are about keeping ja large audience tuned in for an entire evening, show after show after show. Thus the emphasis on "flow" making sure two programs that air back-to-back are at least theoretically compatible; That's why NBC moved "3rd Rock" to Wednesdays. According to Preston Beckman, the network's senior program scheduler, the show acts as a "magnet" that draws viewers to its night of family-skewing comedies "The Tony Danza Show," "Built to Last" and "Working." I Drew Carey Show" (ABC), "Party of Five" (Fox), "Star Trek: Voyager" (TJPN) and "Public Eye With Bryant Gumbel" (CBS) will snnare'ntT this By LYNN ELBER The Associated Press BRYANT GUMBEL DID a litUe Crystal-gazing to prepare for his upcoming role as Emmy host. Studying a videotape of last March's Oscar ceremony, Gumbel watched emcee Billy Crystal rock the audience with comic patter, song and dance and decided to do it his way: straight.

"He (Crystal) does this for a living and he does it very well," said the television newsman. "That's not what I'm going to try to do." "I'm going to try to be inconspicuous and try to make sure the show goes smoothly, people enjoy themselves and the show seems seamless," Gumbel said. "And that it's conducted with a degree of dignity and class and decorum." Don Mischer, producer of the ceremony airing on CBS Sunday (8 yj p.m., channels 5 and 46) says he's got the right man in Gumbel, who jumped from NBC's "Today" to CBS and is being showcased by his new 0 0 Gumbel 'A good host is someone who can take you season at 8 Lithgow p.m. Wednesdays. Each program is considered crucial to its respective network's success; each arrived in this time slot by a complicated scheduling process that industry observers say will be hard to undo.

While it's not uncommon for two shows to compete for essentially the same audience, viewers surveying their choices for Wednesday at 8 may well have three programs they want to watch, if the past is any guide: "Star Trek: Voyager," "Drew Carey" and "3rd Rock" are among their networks' top performers. The ABC, NBC and Fox entries all rate highly with young female viewers. Gumbel, who moved CBS this summer, was one of the most successful personalities at NBC during his two decades there and helped lead the "Today" show back to the top of the morning-news heap. And that's before viewers even consider their cable options. The battle royal won't commence until Sept.

24, when "3rd Rock" and "Drew Carey" launch their new seasons. "Party of Five" starts its new season tonight, "Star Trek: Voyager" launched Sept. 3, and Gumbel is waiting until Oct. 1. But unlike previous time-slot battles "Chicago Hope" vs.

"ER," for example this one is not expected to end quickly. In this day of fragmented TV audiences, single-digit Nielsen ratings and hype about "key demographics," the networks have reasons to believe each of these shows will gather enough eyeballs to justify their place on the schedule. In other words, the only losers from this Wednesday-night showdown will be you, the audience. Viewers Voice, an organization whose 1,000 members lobby the TV networks to save low-rated series, just named their favorite shows of the 1996-97 season. Their top drama: "Party of Five." Their top two comedies: "Drew Carey" and "3rd Rock." To Sharon Rhode, the group's president, this is a familiar situation.

"The networks have done this to us so many times, sometimes I think they do it to us intentionally, (2:00, 4:45) 7:20,9:45: piuiu A MAI II MA. (1 1.IM 'Seinfeld' is among leading nominated shows, up for nine awards, including year's top series. "The most If efficiently and gracefully through the evening," said Mischer. "Bryant's got a manner about him; he's easygoing, he's intelligent, he's totally comfortable with live television." He also won't feel compelled to unleash a laugh-getting zinger each time he appears, which can make a show look like it's simply trying too hard, Mischer said. If Emmy has any problems, they're not on the stage, the producer said they're in the audience.

"Seats are just a gigantic problem," Mischer said. "There's a demand that far, far exceeds the number available" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Emmy's longtime home with a capacity of about 2,600. Take "ER," for example, the leading nominee with 22 bids which just happens to equal the number of places allotted for the drama's large slate of producers and one guest each. That figure doesn't even include nominated "ER" stars like Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies and their guests. The shortage leaves even network executives scrambling for tickets, let alone awards.

The trophies, of course, are the real goal, especially in a year when Home Box Office nearly nudged the Big Three broadcast networks out for the most bids, ultimately falling just two shy of NBC's 92 nominations. Leading series nominees include HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" with 16 nominations, Fox's "The X-Files" with 12, ABC's "NYPD Blue" with 11 and NBC's "Seinfeld" and "Frasier" with nine nods For those watching the Academy of Television Arts Sciences cere- powerful motion picture of the summer!" David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson of the 'X-files' make their presence felt Sunday night. nm mn. in lull others. One segment will focus on camera, lighting and other technical crews, with make-up and hair styling taking center stage in another filmed piece.

The ceremony also will look at television's ability to "confront and explore issues with a real power and sense of immediacy," Mischer said, demonstrated through clips from dramas, films and other programs. A tribute to industry members who died this year, including executive Brandon Tartikoff, is planned. All this must be tightly packaged to leave room for the main event, 28 awards and acceptance speeches. Another 55 trophies, including the first, controversial honor for a TV commercial, were scheduled for non-televised ceremonies on Sept. 7.

"We have more awards per hour than any other awards show on television The Grammys did 14, Tonys did 12, the Oscars do 23 but in 3V4 hours," Mischer said. Saratacroz DAILIf: (2:15, 5:00) 7rf5, 100 mony at home, the truly pressing issue is whether the three-hour show will be a dud or a doozy. The lineup of presenters is properly starry, including Candice Bergen; Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny of "The Glenn Close; Laurence Fishburne, Alfre Woodard and funnymen and women including Bob Newhart, Garry Shandling and Ellen DeGeneres, A behind-the-scenes look at how television shows are put together, with emphasis on the relationship between actors and the crews that support their efforts, is in the works. Footage was shot on the sets of "ER," "NYPD Blue," "JAG" and "3rd Rock from the Sun," among "THE MOST VIBRANT CRIME DRAMA SINCE PULP That's OK, he adds. Community calendar CONFIDENTIAL' Is rl UiHI dangerous and Intoxicating tala of big trouble In paradise." "Gang bust erst 'LA.

CONFIDENTIAL' Is a shrewd, elegant film with a flawless ensemble cast and style to burn." Sunday mmm Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association hosts a benefit wine, micro-brew and appetizer tasting from 1 1 a.m. to 5 m. in the Paddy Smith Garden Park at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Local artists display and demonstrate their work and the Cabrillo Host Lions Club will accept eyeglass donations for distribution to the needy. Live music.

Cost: $5 includes tastings and souvenir glass. Information: 479-WINE. CONFIDENTIAL' "'LA. CONFIDENTIAL1 Is a stylish tfwIMoc. Director Curtis Hanson brings Jamos Enroy's novst of oopi ami corruption to hi a tnrUHng, utterly moelHrm coo nun ttur '4, TT-- the most successful since 'Chinatown." Watsonville Downtown Plaza, East Beach and Main streets, Watsonville.

Family fun includes savory food, arts, crafts, pony rides and traditional music and dance performances. Also, a variety of bands will provide music for dancing. Free. Information: 724-9005. BOOK SALE: Friends of the Santa Cruz Libraries holds a September Supersale of books from 1 1 a.m.

to 5 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Sentinel parking lot, 207 Church Santa Cruz. Featured "specials" include a large estate of scholarly and illustrated books. Special books individually priced; all others cost $1 per pound. Information: 429-3495.

LOCALS' CONCERT: Gina Machovina performs classical guitar for the morning coffee-hour concert at this harborside cafe, 9-1 1 a.m. Sleepy Dragon Books, 2222 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. Free. Information: 476-9136. WINE TASTING AND FINE ART: The rancM, racy Hfa." -MM Alllll The best etory-4oMng sbioo Ibrrnlc enuH lataMiiouLM stroll-a-thon, featuring local fine art, wine, food, children's activities and live music from 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. in Capitoia Village. Free. Free shuttle bus service from various sites; call for information: 475-5179. ICE CREAM SOCIAL: The Doran Center for the Blind Visually Impaired hosts a benefit all-you-can-eat Ice Cream Social from 1-4 p.m.

at the Doran Center, 413 Laurel Santa Cruz. Also featured is a silent auction, live music, magic and facepainting. Tickets: $3 kids. $5 adults. Information: 458-9766.

SCO BREAKFAST: Senior Citizens Opportunities invites the public to an Old Fashioned Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SCO Clubhouse, 222 Market Santa Cruz. The community feed includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, potatoes, ham, juice and coffee. Cost $1.75 children under 12, $3.50 adults.

Proceeds benefit the Center. Information: 475-1579. MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FIESTA: Celebrate Mexican Independence Day from noon to 6 p.m. at an alcohol-free festival at the Monday HOMELESS GARDEN PARTY CELEBRATION: Come visit the Pelton Avenue garden grounds before the Project moves. Guests can tour the gardens, eat a fresh, garden lunch prepared by Joseph Schultz of India Joze and enjoy music from Modern Gypsies, Breathe, Kosono and Mudfrog A silent auction includes a Robert Mondavi Opus One Twilight Tour in Napa Valley, jewelry, art, and "Mighty Mulch." Prize giveaways and kids' activities round out the day.

Donation for lunch requested. A "work party" is from 1 1 a.m. to 1 p.m.; lunch served from p.m.; music continues to 4:30 p.m. The garden is at 300 Pelton Avenue, Santa Cruz, between Lighthouse and Laguna. Note that Pelton Avenue will be closed for the event; alternative transportation is advised.

Information: 426-3609. CAPITOLA ART AND WINE FESTIVAL The bayside village hosts its annual Smashing, azzy and stylish. 'LA CONFIDENTIAL' has a surprise bi every scene." sssw Bsssbsl JOURNEYS WITH THE ICE BEAR: Nature photographer and adventurer Kennan Ward discusses his new book, "Journeys With the Ice Bear," about his experiences with polar bears in the frozen wild. 7:30 p.m. Capitoia Book Cafe, 1475 41st Capitoia.

Free. Information: 462-4415. Crane besting, police oornsjrtJon, and showbusmesaljji fJjJj l(M fltl. IlMl iSbm 1 SmteCraz SNEAK PREVIEW NOW PLAYING UNITED ARTISTS APTOS TWIN 1 22 ftondwM Mor 488-4541 SIGNATURE THEATRES SANTA CRUZ CMIMA 1405 Pacific Avt. 457-3500 CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORY FOR SHOWTIME INFORMATION TONIGHT 7:30 PM 1405 Pacific Ave 457-3500.