TV & VIDEO - May 1, 1989

But, at the network level, CBS news programs are also not immune from thespian aspirations. As part of the revamping of the low-rated news magazine “West 57th,” the series--to be hosted next season by Connie Chung-- will occasionally use actors to reenact historic events. CBS News guidelines discourage but don’t bar the use of actors and reenactments and dramatizations. The news division previously employed actors to reenact historic moments in Walter Cronkite’s “You Are There” (1953-57), and its “The American Parade” series (1975-76), among other projects. Actors are being considered for a segment the program is planning on Vernon Johns, a civil-rights pioneer . . . While “West 57th” changes its look, sources at CBS News say that two of the show’s regulars, Steve Kroft and Meredith Vieira, will move over to the more highly rated “60 Minutes.” Sources said the pair would do “60 Minutes” pieces on an occasional basis, then one or both would join the series.