Network News Test Over Gorbachev

TV or not TV. . . .

TEST: The networks’ ongoing coverage of Mikhail Gorbachev’s ouster--beyond the initial breaking story--may provide clues to the future of the NBC and CBS news departments.

With NBC, CBS--and even the strong ABC News division--slashing their staffs, the long-term depth and consistency of the Big Three’s coverage of the Soviet upheaval will be studied carefully by the TV industry and many viewers.

While CNN blossomed during this year’s reporting of the Persian Gulf War, the Big Three, once their job was done, made clear that the cost of the Mideast conflict hit them hard in the pocketbook, especially with the recession already squeezing them.

News coverage of major stories can be hugely expensive. CBS, NBC and ABC already are planning to sharply curtail their on-air presence at the 1992 Democratic and Republican conventions--while cable’s CNN and C-SPAN will air blanket coverage.

Stories such as Gorbachev’s removal from power are what CNN and C-SPAN thrive on, and they now reach most of the nation’s TV viewers.

The Big Three still have brilliant staffs that want to compete, but the question will be the commitment to all-out, continual coverage by the tightfisted corporate leaders who now run the networks--General Electric, owner of NBC; Laurence Tisch, head of CBS; and Capital Cities, the conglomerate that bought ABC.

With networks such as NBC and CBS closing bureaus around the world, they now, more than ever, have to show they are there all the way on stories of the magnitude of the Gorbachev shocker--and not just for the initial few days or major highlights.

When they are there all the way, the Big Three are usually superb. But any letdown in TV’s new, fiercely competitive climate could harm them irreparably, with viewers easily able to compare performance by switching over to CNN, which you can be sure will be where the action is for as long as it lasts.

COLLECTOR’S ITEMS: W. Somerset Maugham’s 1948 film endeavor, “Quartet,” in which the late author introduces four of his short stories, is set for KCET Channel 28 on Aug. 31. This is one that’s worth staying home for.

And speaking of ’48 gems, we caught William Saroyan’s joyful work, “The Time of Your Life,” starring James Cagney as the resident philosopher of a San Francisco bar, on KDOC Channel 56. It’s still good as gold. The print was lousy, though; it’s worth restoring. Are you listening, TNT?

EMMY QUIZ: With the Emmy Awards on tap Sunday on Fox Broadcasting, do you know which program has been honored more than any other in TV history? Answer: “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” with 29 Emmys. And what was the most-honored miniseries? “Roots,” of course--nine Emmys for the ’77 production.

MAKE MY DAY: All right, let’s root for a memorable Emmy Awards with a best-series victory for CBS’ “Northern Exposure” and, at long last, the top comedy actress prize for Blair Brown of Lifetime cable’s “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd.”

SCORECARD: Now, let’s see--wasn’t Joe Fowler, the sports guy who was let go last week by KCAL Channel 9, supposed to make people forget Scott St. James, his free-wheeling, fun-to-listen-to predecessor, who was canned? Well, it turns out St. James is doing just fine on KMPC radio and picking up gigs on KNBC Channel 4.

TROUBADOUR: Art Garfunkel recorded the theme song for CBS’ new fall comedy, “Brooklyn Bridge,” about a 1950s family living in Brooklyn. He had major-league backup: Marvin Hamlisch, who wrote the song with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, accompanied Garfunkel on the piano.

LEAP OF FAITH: For those who wonder why NBC keeps sticking with the estimable “Quantum Leap” despite its ratings ups and downs, the network’s former entertainment boss, Brandon Tartikoff, reports: “The demographics are through the roof. Next to ‘L.A. Law’ and ‘Cheers,’ ‘Quantum Leap’ is the most desired demographic on NBC.”

TRYOUT: Burt Reynolds already has a sitcom, “Evening Shade,” but on Aug. 29 he takes a different tack, hosting an hour, prime-time CBS talk show with old-time film stars June Allyson, Esther Williams, Ginger Rogers and Jane Powell. The title: “Burt Reynolds’ Conversations With . . .”--which certainly sounds like a format with ambitions.

PREDICTION: Charles Dutton, who plays the head of a blue-collar black family in Fox’s new fall sitcom, “Roc,” will be an important TV star by the end of the season.

MAKING IT: Ron Reagan is at his best in his new talk show (KTTV Channel 11 at 11:30 p.m.) when he’s mischievous, even impudent. He has a knowing twinkle--a dead-on instinct that too much respect is a dangerous thing.

SHOOTOUT: Well, of course we should have made clear last week that “Bonanza” had more one-hour episodes than “Gunsmoke”--not total episodes. Several intrepid readers point out correctly that “Gunsmoke” is more than 200 shows ahead when you add in the half-hour episodes during its 20-year run.

Matter of fact, the show is still going strong: The latest two-hour revival, “Gunsmoke III: To the Last Man,” with James Arness as Marshal Dillon, is set for Oct. 27 on CBS if there’s no seventh game of the World Series. If there is, it’ll turn up later. Wonder what would happen if CBS reran old “Gunsmoke” episodes in prime time, the way it did successfully with “All in the Family.” Hmmm.

CLIFFHANGER: Presumably, we’ll learn the answers to questions about Candice Bergen’s pregnancy as “Murphy Brown” when the series returns with its fall debut Sept. 16 on CBS.

PRO: In her quiet way, KTLA Channel 5’s Marta Waller has developed into one of the town’s best and most agreeable TV reporters. A perfect fit for the low-key, self-assured style that marks KTLA’s Hal Fishman newscast.

FILM SCHOOL: If we didn’t keep up with the American Movie Classics channel, we never would have known that in 1928, “an all-time high” of 884 motion pictures were released. That’s because they were making movies instead of deals.

BEING THERE: “We’re playing a game (golf) where the aim is to be below par. It’s so wrong for me.” --Stephanie Vanderkellen (Julia Duffy) in “Newhart.”

Say good night, Gracie. . . .