News and Notes From The World of Television: The SHOWTIME cable network has announced plans for a satirical ³behind-the-scenes² look at the television industry. The series was co-created by the late president of NBC Television Brandon Tartikoff. It will star Brian Kerwin and Carol Kane. The two-hour premiere episode is scheduled to air on June 19th.
Now You See ŒEm, Now You Don¹t:The veteran tabloid series HARD COPY and the freshman series THE HOWIE MANDEL SHOW have been canceled. UPN has announced plans to cancel their low-rated family drama LEGACY.
ROSEANNE Gets ReprieveAnother daytime series suffering from low ratings, ROSEANNE, has been renewed for a second season. Roger King, president of King World Productions which produces the daytime talk show, was optimistic that the series will grow. He said, ³We are confident that with ROSEANNE¹S brilliant brand of comedy and outrageous take on everyday life, it has all the ingredients to grow and become a hit for stations and viewers.²
MORE RENEWALS FOR TV SERIES UPN¹s MOESHA, and NBC¹s PROVIDENCE have been renewed for next season. UPN is in desperate need of hit shows and MOESHA is one of their few bright spots. PROVIDENCE has been just that for NBC. It is the highest rated new drama series of the season. NBC has ordered 22 new episodes for next year.
RATINGS HOPEFUL FOR TWO SERIESThe ratings for the new FOX animated series FUTURAMA have been strong, particularly in the 18-49 age group which is most coveted by advertisers. That makes two popular animated series for creator Matt Goering on FOX. His other animated series, THE SIMPSONS, is the most successful animated series in television history.
CBS has enjoyed a ratings increase in THE LATE, LATE SHOW. New host Craig Killborn has helped increase the ratings by 120% in the 18-49 age group. Time will tell if the increased ratings will hold up over time or if it is the result of viewer sampling.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, PART 2:Academy-Award winning actor Anthony Hopkins has joined the cast of the second MISSION IMPOSSIBLE film. Based on the popular CBS series of the 70s, the film stars Tom Cruise and is being directed by James Woo.
