FYI
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3E
NBC gambles on Brooke Shields
'Suddenly Susan' is must-see TV after 'Seinfeld'
The Etc. Shop
928 Mass. Downtown
Parking in the rear
SUNGLASSES
By Lynn Eiber
Although the series has had two major overhauls, the impression of chaos could be misleading. Suddenly Susan may yet turn out to be the enormous hit NBC is banking on, a show worthy of its Cartier-class gift of a time slot.
ious studio and network executives under its belt, the series has been rewritten and recast just two months before its debut at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
Brooke Shields
By Lynn Elber
The Associated Press
Susan, which premieres this fall in NBC's promised land — Thursday night, immediately after Seinfeld and before ER. With one creator, two sets of producers and operators
"I can name you any number of successful shows that were thrown together at the last minute," contends William Morris executive Sam Haskell, whose talent agency represents Shields.
uncounted anx
"the Fresh Prince of Bet-Air, which enjoyed six seasons on
M M
LOS ANGELES — Dying is easy, goes the old theatrical wivesaw; comedy is hard. Especially if it's must-see TV comedy. Consider the case of the
Consider the case of the Brooke Shields sitcom *Suddenly*
the air, is one that came together in that amount of time or less," Haskell said.
The elements seem promising enough.
Entertainment chief Warren Littlefield seemed equally unfazed by the last-minute scramble.
There's Shields, who proved herself a surprisingly deft and likable comedienne on a Friends episode. She plays Susan, a dependent young woman thrust into an independent life.
Clyde Phillips' original concept, a single-camera show filmed without a studio audience, was solid enough to catch the eye of Warner Bros. Television, NBC and Shields.
"We thought it could be great," he said. "Not just good, great."
She just was coming off her highly touted appearance on Warner's Friends, and scripts were being lobbed at her like marriage proposals.
"We had a pilot that we thought was good," he said, Littlefield said that audiences demanded and expected a lot from NBC Thursday nights.
Some snappy writing, solid supporting cast and nice camera work to show off Shields' beauty and charming aptitude for prattfalls, and Suddenly Susan scores in its cushy time slot.
NBC was looking for a strong addition to Thursday night, and
"This is television. We're not doing cancer research." Dontzig said. "We feel everything's under control."
The producers seem confident enough.
So what's so tough here?
Guiding Shields and the series are executive producers Gary Dontzig and Steven Peterman, Emmy-winners for their work on CBS' Murphia Brown.
"I can name you any number of successful shows that were thrown together at the last minute."
Enter producers Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore (Martin), entrusted with a further, hurried revamp of Suddenlu Susan for Shields.
Meanwhile Shields, who had signed a development deal with Warner, fell in love with the character, Jonas said.
OK, but not great. NBC had uttered the magic words "Thursday night", and the bar was raised.
Two weeks later, their script was filmed as the pilot.
Littlefield liked it but wanted a traditional multicamera sitcom filmed in front of an audience. The Warner contingent agreed, and writers were brought in to help revise the script.
"We did it like a little play, a short play of about five scenes," he said.
Warner quickly began working
Last March 11, the studio recruited actors to put on a Suddenly Susan show for Littlefield.
Tony Jones, studio head, said he and his crew did something that doesn't happen too often: they did a sort of stand-up presentation of the series.
Warner wanted to provide it.
Enter Dontzig and Peterman. The basic theme remains of a young woman whose romance falls apart and who suddenly finds herself flying solo, but much else is changed.
Nancy Marchand (Lou Grant) cast as Shield's grandmother in the pilot, may stay with the series if Warner can find a way to accommodate the New Yorkbased actress.
At this point, without a pilot episode in hand, NBC is putting its faith in Warner Bros., and the studio is putting its faith in Shields, Donzig and Peterman.
to maximize the concept, as Jonas put it, of Suddenly Susan.
Sam Haskell William Morris talent executive
Shields' character is transformed from editor at a small book publishing house in Southern California to a magazine writer in San Francisco, an environment that the producers said was more active.
That meant the loss of Elizabeth Ashley's romance-writer character and a boss played in the pilot by Philip Casnoff.
"If we all do our jobs right,
everyone's going to win big on
this it's going to be tremendous," Jonas said.
Suntint & Audio
---
Window Tinting Convertible Tops Solar Treatment
Targa Tops Auto Customizing Neon Sun Roofs
Ground Effects Running Boards
Call for free estimates & appointments
841-4779 10% Discount 841-4779 VISA With Any Complete Service MasterCard
2201 W. 25th located behind Sac's & Food For Less Free Estimates Not valid with other offer
Get The Right Treatment!
Save 25% when you buy used books at University Book Shop. PLUS
Save money with our complete line of school and office supplies including Engineering and Art supplies.
GOOD PRICES!
GOOD SERVICE!
GOOD DEAL!
Don't forget our great line of gifts and officially licensed KU clothing.
Don't delay, get your books today!
University Book Shop
1116W23RD·LAWRENCE·KS66046 749-5206
Natural Way
Natural Fiber Clothing, Natural Body Care
(913) 841-0100
820-822 Mass.
Lawrence, Ks.
Fall '96
Be an individualist.
Develop your own style.
Become known for unique pieces of clothing.
Mix. Match.
And have fun at Natural Way.
Now at 2 locations.
(913) 696-1166
119th & Roe
Leawood, Ks.
LAWRENCE ATHLETIC CLUB
Lawrence's Largest and Most
Family Athletic Facility
2800 Sq Ft Mirrored Aerobic Room
1500 Sq Ft Mirrored Adult Family Workout Area
2 State of the Art Raquetball Courts
1000 Sq Ft Mirrored Nautilus Weight Room
3000 Sq Ft Mirrored Free Weight Room
500 Sq Ft Supervised Day Care
Fully Equipped Locker Rooms
Jacuzzi - Steam Bath - Sauna
Tanning Beds - Pro Shop - Juice Bar
Certified Professional Staff in the Following Areas:
Aerobics - Athletic Training - Personal Training -
Excercise Physiology - Kinesiology - CPR
4 Licensed Massuses
Full Towel Service
"COME IN FOR A FREE ONE WEEK PASS"
913. 842.4966
3201 Mesa Way Lawrence, KS 66047 Located 2 Blocks West of Dillons on Sixth Street