Advertisement

Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

Share

TELEVISION

Wayans Tops ‘Vibe’: Quincy Jones had President Clinton, but Keenen Ivory Wayans got the bigger audience in the first showdown between the Jones-produced “Vibe” and “The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show,” the two latest entries in the late-night talk-show arena. Both urban-flavored syndicated programs premiered Monday at 11 p.m. In 38 of the nation’s top markets where ratings were available, Wayans averaged a 9% share of the available audience while “Vibe”--hosted by Chris Spencer--averaged 7%. Wayans--whose guests included actors Jada Pinkett and Brendan Fraser and singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds--also won in Los Angeles with a 13% audience share as opposed to 9% for “Vibe”--which, in addition to Clinton’s satellite kickoff appearance, had guests including Brandy and Anthony Edwards, with brief “surprise” visits by Whoopi Goldberg and Salt-N-Pepa. Executives for Columbia/TriStar Television, which produces “Vibe,” said its audience grew during the hour while “Wayans” viewership declined. Wayans airs locally on KTTV Channel 11, while “Vibe” airs here on KCOP Channel 13.

*

Germans Watch ‘Hogan’s’: It took 30 years, but “Hogan’s Heroes” has finally become a cult hit in Germany, especially with younger viewers. As Germans grow more willing to examine the Third Reich, the American TV series about Allied POWs outwitting their German captors is apparently allowing the country to laugh about its grave past. To ensure German viewers understand the 1965-71 CBS series isn’t meant to be taken seriously, however, the original dialogue is reworked to make the Nazis even more ridiculous. For instance, the “Heil Hitler” salute, illegal in Germany, is replaced with comic phrases like “Adios,” “Thanks be to heaven,” or “Heil Schnitzler.” Cable 1, the company that has aired “Hogan’s Heroes” in Germany since 1995, recently canceled one of America’s biggest hits, “Seinfeld,” after less than a year, while “Hogan’s” has been gaining viewers. Since 1995--the 50th anniversary of the Nazis’ defeat--German TV has been awash with documentaries examining the Third Reich.

*

Saturday Morning Classics: CBS has decided to move its “Crayola Kids Adventures,” which had been scheduled to air in prime time, to Saturday mornings at 9, starting with this weekend’s broadcast of “The Trojan Horse.” The hourlong specials, which continue in successive weeks with “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Tales of Gulliver’s Travels,” are adapted from the literary classics and tailored specifically for children 6 and older.

Advertisement

POP/ROCK

Country Music Nominations: Veteran George Strait and newcomer Deana Carter led the charge Tuesday with five nominations each for the 31st Annual Country Music Assn. Awards. Both were nominated for album of the year (for “Carrying Your Love With Me” and “Did I Shave My Legs for This?,” respectively), along with LeAnn Rimes (“Blue”), Trisha Yearwood (“Everybody Knows”) and Alan Jackson (“Everything I Love”). In the entertainer of the year category, Strait was joined by Jackson, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and the duo Brooks & Dunn, while Carter’s fellow nominees for the newcomer’s Horizon Award were Rimes, Trace Adkins, Terri Clark and Lee Ann Womack. In the single of the year balloting, Strait had two nominations, for “Carried Away” and “One Night at a Time.” Carter was also recognized (for “Strawberry Wine”), along with Pam Tillis (“All the Good Ones Are Gone”) and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (for the duet “It’s Your Love”). The awards air Sept. 24 on CBS.

STAGE

‘Band’ Turns 30: Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis will star alongside actors Michael Jeter, Michael Kearns, Mitchell Anderson, Chad Allen, Tim Maculan, Michael Ralph, Steve Tyler and Bruce Vilanch in a 30th anniversary reading of “The Boys in the Band” on Aug. 18 and 19 at the Hudson Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). Tickets for the 8 p.m. production are $100 to $1,000 and benefit the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

QUICK TAKES

Sylvester Stallone has announced that his wife, model Jennifer Flavin, had a miscarriage last month. The couple have a year-old daughter, Sophia Rose, who underwent surgery last November to repair a hole in her heart. . . . Brad Goode is leaving his co-anchor duties on the syndicated “Extra” after this week, leaving Maureen O’Boyle, who recently joined the show, as sole anchor starting Monday. . . . Actress Carrie Fisher (“Star Wars”) has signed with Universal Television to develop and write comedy projects. . . . Jazzman Wynton Marsalis has been named to a five-year term on the 20-member New York State Council on the Arts. . . . Christopher Waterman has been appointed chair of the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures, succeeding Judy Mitoma, who is returning to teaching. Waterman is a jazz musician and African studies scholar. . . . The daughter of a Saudi tycoon told reporters Tuesday that she is not Mrs. Omar Sharif. Egyptian press, quoting friends of the pair, had reported last week that Nadiya Aja wed Sharif at a Red Sea resort on April. Sharif, who has not confirmed or denied the marriage reports, could not be reached for comment.

Advertisement