Section A·Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, November 17, 1998
Attention Sophomores Do you strive for excellence?
Golden Key National Honor Society
Invites outstanding academic sophomores to attend an honorary reception
Come learn more about our organization & meet some of its members
Tuesday, Nov. 17th 7p.m.Jayhawk Room (Kansas Union)
Golden Key recruits Juniors & Seniors with an average GPA of 3.3 or above
Any questions contact Pres. Kathy Meert @ 331-2946
MORE THAN JUST THE BLUES: Women and Depression
Sadness, discouragement, and loneliness affect most of us at some point in our lives--especially when we experience changes in our lives, end a relationship, or don't live up to our own expectations. Please join us for a discussion on how to help yourself and seek new solutions.
Tuesday, November 17, 1998 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Pine Room, Kansas Union
Facilitator: Linda Keeler, M.D. Counseling and Psychological Services
Sponsored by The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center 115 Strong Hall, University of Kansas. For more information, contact at 864-3552.
Walking a thin line
Cathy Cian, assistant teacher; Sydney Bryden, Tulsa, Okla., sophomore; and Wandy Swartz, a lead teacher at Hilltop Child Development Center, walk with a group of 2-year-olds. Children from the center often take walks or play on campus lawns. Photo by Jeff Severin/KANSAN
Commentary UPN seeks to alter network image
By David Baudor The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer, the bawdy, downscale satire about life in the Lincoln White House, seemed just what UPN needed this fall.
It was outrageous enough to make more staid broadcasters steer clear. Yet it was a show executives thought people would talk about.
That was the idea. In reality, Desmond Pfeiffer became the symbol of UPN's disastrous season. Many viewers were appalled because the show made light of slavery; critics called it moronic; nobody tuned in; and the show was shelved.
The young network's downfall was spectacular because it did not have far to fall. Through six weeks, UPN's average prime-time audience was 2.7 million, a 41 percent drop from last year's 4.6 million.
The WB, the other mini-network that also started in 1995, has passed UPN in viewers. The WB has increased its viewership to 4.5 million.
To quiet rumblings that UPN's days are numbered, network owners Paramount Pictures and Chris Craft's BHC Communications were issued a statement that they were committed to UPN and its future.
UPN executives said they expected some tough times as they tried to change the network's image.
"It's like a shot glass," said Tom Nunan, UPN entertainment president. "Our audience is the size of a shot glass. What we're trying to do is increase the size of the glass and get it overflowing."
Prior to this year, UPN was known largely for its Star Trek: Voyager series and several sitcoms that appealed to African-American audiences. Viewership was 43 percent
"What we're trying to do is increase the size of the glass and get it overflowing"
Tom Nunan
UPN entertainment president
African-American last season, higher than any other broadcaster. But the poor quality of the shows opened UPN to criticism.
Startup networks put on black-oriented shows and later eliminate them to reach a broader audience, said Travis Smiley, host of a Black Entertainment Television talk show.
"African Americans have had it with networks using us to build their networks and then abandoning their black viewership," he said.
Nunan said he did not think UPN was leaving his black audience behind.
LAST CHANCE JAYHAWKER YEARBOOK
Tuesday Nov.17 and Wednesday Nov.18
Tuesday Nov.17 and Wednesday Strong Hall Rotunda 9:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm-6:00pm
Don't be a "not pictured" again this year. Get your picture early so you have proof you were in college! For questions call The Jayhawker Yearbook office at 864-3728