‘VIDEOLOG’ TO FOCUS ON BERLIN

KCET’s “Videolog,” the short features that generally spotlight local people, places and pleasures on Channel 28, will present a special series of reports from Berlin starting this weekend. The segments stem from the first overseas assignment for “Videolog.”

Huell Howser, “Videolog’s” producer-reporter, went with the Los Angeles delegation to Berlin earlier this month to cover that city’s 750th birthday celebration. Berlin and Los Angeles are sister cities.

One of the Berlin segments finds Howser and Mayor Bradley at the Olympic Stadium where the mayor reminisces about meeting track star Jesse Owens. In another, Howser joins conductor Andre Previn as he makes a nostalgic visit to the Berlin neighborhood where he spent his early childhood.

An exhibit of Los Angeles art is featured in another of the reports, which run about three minutes each and are broadcast throughout KCET’s program day. The Berlin segments will continue to air through May 17, with 5:50 p.m., 7:50 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. this Sunday and the following Sunday among the many airtimes.

The overseas trip “does not mean that we’re going to become ‘2 on the Town,’ ” commented Howser this week upon his return from Berlin. “Basically, we’ve stayed here. But we do want to expand to cover Santa Barbara, Orange County and the Inland Empire, which is our viewing area.”

“Videolog,” which has been on the air since 1983, received funding this year for the first time. Occidental Petroleum is the underwriter. Lufthansa Airlines provided additional funding for the Berlin segments.