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Van Rose
Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 1C
I’ve never been a fan of award shows on television, because they’re over
hyped and pretentious. Not to mention boring. But I have to admit that I
enjoyed Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards on NBC, discounting Barbra Streisand’s
babble. The reason is simple: They got it right when they handed out the TV
awards. “The Sopranos,” HBO’s groundbreaking Mafia drama, cleaned up. It
won for best drama, beating out NBC’s wonderful new show “West Wing” and the
peacock’s breadwinner, “ER.” James Gandolfini, who is in a league of his own
on the small screen, was named best actor in a drama as mob boss Tony Soprano.
Edie Falco, who portrays Tony’s non-criminal wife, Carmela, took down best
actress honors. Veteran actress Nancy Marchand, who portrays the mother from
hell, won for best supporting actress in a drama. “The Sopranos” is a breath
of fresh air. It’s cleverly written, brilliantly acted and is outrageously
addictive. Gandolfini, a previously unheralded actor, has become an overnight
superstar. Falco is a newcomer to the spotlight, even though she’s been acting
for 15 years, including several guest stints on “Law & Order.” You may
remember Marchand as Ed Asner’s boss on “Lou Grant.” Actually, HBO stole the
show. The cable network’s “RKO 281,” the behind-the-scenes story about the
making of “Citizen Kane,” was named best made-for-TV movie. HBO’s daring
“Sex and the City” won for best musical or comedy series. And its star,
Sarah Jessica Parker, won a best actress award. Showtime got in on the action
when Jack Lemmon won best actor in a made-for-TV movie for “Inherit the
Wind.” Perhaps the most gratifying award went to “Spin City’s” Michael J.
Fox for best actor in a musical or comedy series. Fox, who is suffering from
Parkinson’s disease, recently announced he is leaving the ABC show. During his
emotional accepting speech, Fox never mentioned his disease. Certainly, he
gave the Golden Globes a touch of class. WVIA aims focus on seniors’ health
Health care for senior citizens will be the topic of WVIA-TV’s “Call The
Doctor” show for the next month. The program, hosted by Judy Sedlak, will air
at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, beginning this week through Feb. 19. An additional
show will air on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. In addition, Channel 44 will air a
prime-time special “Call The Doctor” at 8 p.m. on Feb. 16 to focus on
long-term health care issues for seniors. “With the elderly population base
in this area, it just makes good sense to present topics of these types,”
said Mark Thomas, WVIA vice president. “These are issues and health concerns
that impact not only senior citizens, but also their sons and daughters who
sometimes have to make tough financial decisions.”
Van Rose can be reached at vrose@leader.net or 829-7251. His television column
is published every Thursday.