‘Human’ Star Risked It All for Dream

TV or not TV. . . .

THE GAMBLER: John Mahoney was in his mid-30s when he decided to go for broke and try to become an actor.

“It was a foolhardy move when you look back at it,” says Mahoney, now 51, who stars in CBS’ new, one-hour medical drama series, “The Human Factor,” which debuts Thursday.

Foolhardy, maybe, but a decided success. The much-admired, British-born actor, who lives in a Chicago suburb, has scored on the stage and television, and has appeared in such films as “Moonstruck,” “The Russia House” and “Barton Fink.”

But his turning point came when, after teaching English at Western Illinois University and editing a medical journal, he followed his dream.

“I didn’t want to be a bitter old man saying, ‘Why didn’t I try it?’ ” he says.

In “The Human Factor,” created by writer-producer John Mankiewicz, Mahoney plays a doctor who challenges his students at an inner-city hospital to care for their patients’ emotional as well as physical needs.

The role “reminded me of my own background--somebody who didn’t realize until late in life what he really wanted to do,” says Mahoney. “Of course, the character I play doesn’t have to live on $50 a week, as I did for a while. But it appealed to me.”

Mahoney had a taste of acting as a youth when he was a member of the Stratford Children’s Theatre in England. He immigrated to the United States when he was 19. And his accent now sounds like mainstream America rather than British.

“I wasn’t looking for a (TV) pilot,” says Mahoney. “But the script made me enthusiastic. Even if we only went eight episodes, I’d be happy with the show. But of course, I hope we do more.”

DRAWING BOARD: CBS continues to stake its claim as the “specials” network, a strategy that helped it win the ratings race this season.

First came last week’s disclosure that CBS plans to star Bette Midler in a three-hour television version of “Gypsy.” Then the network followed with Sunday’s flavorful musical drama, “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” about the lives of four young black women in late-1930s Harlem.

And now, on April 24, to cover its weakest night--Friday--CBS will present “Elvis: The Great Performances,” a special marking the 15th anniversary year of the death of Elvis Presley. He died in August, 1977.

Also on April 24, CBS offers “Burt Reynolds’ Conversations With . . . ,” another of those periodic and amiable hours in which he chews the fat with show-biz figures.

“Elvis: The Great Performances,” a two-hour presentation, will be hosted by the singer’s onetime wife, Priscilla Presley. The network says the broadcast will include “rare footage of classic early performances, Elvis backstage, home movies, first and final performances, and guest appearances by Elvis’ closest friends and colleagues.”

Reynolds, meanwhile, will visit Nashville for a chat with four of the top women stars of country music--Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea and Lorrie Morgan.

Once again, clever packaging by CBS as the two specials have a natural musical and geographical link.

FAREWELL TOUR: The biggest goodbys on NBC in coming weeks will, of course, go to Johnny Carson, who retires from “The Tonight Show” May 22, and “The Cosby Show,” which has its one-hour finale April 30.

But some other longtime NBC favorites will go out with a blast as well. “The Golden Girls” calls it a day May 9 with an hour special in which Bea Arthur, as Dorothy, decides to marry a rich guy played by Leslie Nielsen.

And on May 13, NBC’s “Night Court”--John Larroquette, Harry Anderson & Co.--also winds up its long run with an hour special.

BREAKING GROUND: Tonight’s episode of “Civil Wars” dramatizes a disabled woman’s custody battle for her 6-year-old child. And a leading advocate for the disabled in show business, Tari Susan Hartman, praises the show for illustrating the “real issues (of) prejudice” that can arise in such a case.

“Rarely,” she says, “does television capture passionate struggles for self-determination and the realistic discrimination toward people with disabilities.”

THUMBS UP: It’s rare that our readers call up to praise TV’s political coverage--mainly because our major local stations have to be dragged kicking into anything that deals with thoughtful issues.

But we did get calls last week saluting the lengthy coverage of the British elections carried by such outlets as C-SPAN, KCET Channel 28 and KLCS Channel 58. The reporting by British TV organizations, including the BBC and ITN, brought huzzahs.

As the smaller channels wisely commit to such significant material, the mainstream stations will become more and more meaningless.

UPDATE: Not long ago, we noted the easygoing excellence of ABC’s new overnight series, “World News Now,” and said that anchor Aaron Brown was a major TV find. After further watching, we can say that co-anchor Lisa McRee--whom we liked from the start--has quickly developed into a major find too. Folks, this is one very good news show with anchors who can hold their own with anyone.

UPWARDLY MOBILE: Larry King’s savvy, longtime producer, Tamara Haddad, has been named vice president and senior executive producer of CNN. King has the highest-rated show on CNN. The cable network says Haddad will oversee TV town meetings, consult with CNN’s other talk shows and help develop new programs and special projects. A job well-earned.

MISSING LINK: With Los Angeles’ population makeup changing dramatically, isn’t it about time that blacks, Latinos, Asians and other growing minorities were given more roles as regular TV commentators?

STAGE-STRUCK: Fox TV, always on the lookout to create a little excitement, reportedly is thinking of broadcasting its new comedy series, “Roc,” live each week next season. The show did a live episode recently. And the cast includes a number of fine theater performers, including star Charles Dutton, who surely could handle the challenge effectively.

TRUE GRITS: Caught “Austin City Limits” on KCET, and if there’s anything better than a country fiddle, I don’t know what it is--except maybe a country banjo.

BEING THERE: “Early to bed, early to rise, and your girl goes out with other guys.”--Bob Collins (Bob Cummings) in “Love That Bob.”

Say good night, Gracie. . . .