Could Runaway Train be a runaway hit? Do Heinz and Baryshnikov have a lot in
common? Did Sun City rock Capitol Hill? Will 60s hits be video greats?
Entertainment Tonight surrounds the stars for Friday December 6th 1985.
We're American!
Hello everyone I'm Rob Weller and I'm Mary Hart. The CBS Evening News with Dan
Rather won the Network News Nielsen ratings last week averaging 13.7. The
NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw was second with an 11.9 average and ABC
World News Tonight was third at 10.7. To many the initial CBS have been
synonymous with broadcast journalism since the days of Edward R. Murrow's
broadcasts from London in World War II. But this year the network that gave us
Murrow and Walter Cronkite and 60 Minutes has had big problems. It's been a
billion dollars to fight a takeover attempt and employee cutbacks led to a
running battle between the news division and its president. A senior
correspondent Rona Barrett reports tensions have now been eased. Rona? Thank
you Mary. Confirming our Wednesday report CBS made it official yesterday
afternoon Van Gordon Sorter is back in as president of CBS News a post he
previously held from 1981 to 1983 and Ed Joyce is out. Sorter will also keep his
corporate post as executive vice president of the CBS broadcast group
with the added responsibility of the CBS radio division. However he will no longer
oversee the CBS owned and operated TV stations. Joyce has been named senior
vice president in charge of CBS worldwide enterprises supervising
international sales and marketing. According to CBS these changes are part
of a restructuring necessitated by the departure of James Rosenfield the senior
vice president of the broadcast group who has decided at age 56 to take an
early retirement. Gene Jankowski president of the broadcast group will
now oversee the broadcast group's finance function which was previously
part of Rosenfield's duties. These changes have refueled speculation within
CBS that Thomas Wyman Jankowski's boss and the company's chairman will also
depart CBS. He has been under attack in the business community for his handling
of some CBS properties as well as Ted Turner's attempted takeover of CBS.
Wyman however is not expected to leave before early 1986. Rob? Thank You Rona. A
federal court jury yesterday awarded the manufacturer of viceroys cigarettes just
over five million dollars in damages in a libel suit against CBS and commentator
Walter Jacobson. Mike Liederman has that story. Walter Jacobson is Chicago's most
popular and controversial TV commentator. He earns a reported one million dollars
a year in this role and is anchorman on Chicago's CBS owned WBBM TV. In 1981 a
Jacobson commentary accused the makers of viceroys cigarettes of aiming
advertising to promote smoking among children and teenagers. The tobacco
company Brown and Williamson denied the charge sued for libel and won. It was
sweeps journalism and sweeps journalism is not journalism sweeps journalism is
showbiz. I don't think I have ever been irresponsible. I have made mistakes in my
life in my 25 years as a reporter. I have regretted some things that I've said on
the air but I certainly and and in which case I have taken them back and corrected
the record. I have never ever knowingly said anything false on the air. The award
of five million fifty thousand dollars about one-third of what Brown and
Williamson asked for made the tobacco company happy but did little to change
the mood of the broadcaster. I have honed my methods over a quarter of a century of
work. I go after every story with a commitment to get both sides of it and
present both sides of it. I presented both sides of this story. I can't change
that attitude. I can't change that modus operandi. I mean that's what I do. What
does this decision mean for other broadcasters? I can't understand why this
particular case with its specialized problems for the for the commentator in
this instance should have much relevance to anyone else. Anything that threatens
our right to to do our job I suppose we should be worried about but in this case
it wasn't pure journalism it was more in the area of commentary and therefore
there's a little difference. But several reporters covering the trial were
concerned about press freedoms. They were afraid that such an emphatic award might
not only be a deterrent to sloppy or malicious journalists but to well
intentioned ones who just don't want to take the chance and risk some grave
consequences. In Chicago Mike Liederman, Entertainment Tonight. CBS issued a
statement saying the damages awarded were unjustified and that they are
confident the jury's libel verdict will be reversed on appeal. Rockers in jeans
mingled with lawmakers in pinstripe suits yesterday as the Sun City issue
arrived on Capitol Hill. Peter Quinhacos reports from Washington.
They'll play Washington though and did for once Congress giving celebrities a
TV coverage boost for their cause instead of the other way around. Members
honored Sun City mainstays for their efforts. Stevie Vansant gave Congress a
record of their own, announced a new book on the issue and paused to reflect on
the triumphs and problems Sun City has faced. The radio stations are split a
little bit on it. Some feel that it's just too controversial to play and they
worried about advertisers or they're worried about I don't know what. I don't
know what's controversial about people being murdered in the streets but they
seem to think it is and but the record wherever the American public are able to
hear the record they are buying it. The artists warned American performers
against going to South Africa for a planned to counter Sun City concert and
they say they're optimistic that the opponents of the album will eventually
come around. On Capitol Hill Peter Quinhacos entertainment tonight. Actor
Fred Grandy has made a career choice. He's decided he'd rather be a congressman
than a gopher on the loveboat. Fred Grandy was given a send-off party in
Hollywood. He's been released from the last year of his contract playing gopher
on the loveboat. The reason he's decided to move back to Iowa and run for Congress.
He feels the time is right. It's time to do it. I come from a part of the world
that gave me everything that I got everything that was allowed me to become
an actor and now that Iowa Illinois Kansas places like that are in very bad
economic straits they're hurting. But is he prepared to shake a lot of hands and
kiss a lot of babies? Or you know kiss a lot of hands and shake a lot of babies
whatever it takes. Gordon B. McLendon the radio executive who pioneered the top
40 music and all news formats accidentally shot himself in the face
yesterday while cleaning a pistol. He is listed in critical but stable condition
in the Dallas hospital. And at our deadline Academy Award winning actress
Anne Baxter remains in critical condition and near death after suffering
a cerebral hemorrhage. A couple of records to report in the worlds of love
and art, art first. Rembrandt Peel's Rubens Peel with a geranium sold for
four million seventy thousand dollars yesterday. That's the highest auction
price ever paid for an American painting. Now love. Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad and
actress Felicia Ayers Allen of the Cosby show have broken the record for most
public romance. He proposed as you may recall on live television during an NBC
pregame show. Today they set the date live on Good Morning America.
Date set yet? No. Come on announce it right here. Date? Come on. Is there a date set?
Dick Enberg told me I make no more decisions after the proposal. What's the date
Felicia? He'll have to tell you. What's the date on that? January 18th. January 18th?
Alright congratulations to you. Thank you. Here's the ET Digest for Friday the
6th of December. On home video Fletch starring Chevy Chase and Christmas in
July starring Dick Powell and Ellen Drew and celebrating birthdays today James
Naughton is 40 and Dave Brubeck 65. Next Gregory Hines in step with the perfect
partner in White Nights. And ahead Julian Lennon setting the record straight.
Runaway Train which opens today in Los Angeles and New York got off on the
right track last night at a celebrity screening.
Al Owens has that story and some background on the film's producers.
Yuram Globus and Menachin Golan film producers who are bringing us titles
like The Naked Cage, Hot Chili, It Ate Cleveland. They attended the premiere of
their newest film Runaway Train. But unlike those others Runaway Train aspires
to different heights. It stars John Voight, Rebecca de Mornay and Eric Roberts.
It was directed by respected Russian filmmaker Andrei Kanchalovsky. The story
is based on a screenplay by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.
I think they made a really good movie man I'm glad to be in that. They're doing
a quite a lot of films. They're working with Bob Altman and Lena Wertmiller and and they've
worked with John Cassavetes you know lovely people and I think I'm very
grateful that they are working well with all these terrific artists. We feel great
and It Ate Cleveland is still to come. It's going to eat Cleveland. It's going to be
funny and lovely. Al Owens Entertainment Tonight. The new Chevy Chase Dan
Ackroyd comedy Spies Like Us opens today and it's anything but a state secret
what our Leonard Maltin thinks of it. You know what I just saw Spies Like Us and I
liked it. If I sound surprised it's because I don't hold that much hope for
movie comedies these days. So many of them are bad even with good people
involved. Not so for spies like us. Chevy Chase and Dan Ackroyd are a perfect team
and they work together like Abin Costello or more to the point Hope and
Crosby.
Lawson your turn to drive. These are the Yusuf side. They're our county freedom
fighters. They're our allies. Oh we're Americans. This film is full of gags and
funny ideas and they're carried out funny by the two stars and the razor
sharp timing of their director John Landis who has his own private joke of
casting other film directors and even blue star BB King in a variety of tiny
roles. Here's one time the too many cooks take the cake.
Ackroyd wrote the original story with another funny guy Dave Thomas from SCTV.
Then Ackroyd did the script with Loll Gans and Babaloo Mandel the fellows who
co-wrote Splash and Night Shift. However they divided their work it adds up to a
funny movie. I laughed a lot and that's the best recommendation I can give any
comedy. So I'm giving Spies Like Us an 8. I'm Leonard Maltin entertainment tonight.
For actor-dancer Gregory Hines his latest film not only gives him a chance
to team up with the world's most renowned ballet star he also gets to
play a character unlike any he's done before. Gene Wolf has more. In White
Nights Gregory Hines plays Raymond Greenwood an American who had expatriated
to Russia in protest against the Vietnam War. I said mom this is it this is it I'm gonna
get myself a real career I'm gonna get involved in electronics become a
communications expert. Defend my country against communism. As an artist you know
I I look for the role where I can express myself and I have an opportunity
to have some range something that's believable and try to do the best job I
can. Some of the best moments of White Nights are the dance scenes with Hines
and Boryshnikov. How was the comradery with Boryshnikov? Oh it was great he's a very
interesting man and just the opportunity to work with him he's such a great
artist you know and I dug him immediately you know we had a lot of
good times. Was part of the reason you two were able to communicate so well is
because you both did have that background of a discipline as a dancer?
I think so you know his discipline was completely different than mine I mean
really intense and I'm just you know I'm amazed by the things that people who
can who are in ballet can do so we had a mutual respect from the beginning that I
felt really good about. You're a better man wait a minute
eleven rubles eleven pirouettes
can you count? Yeah don't worry just spin.
If I were interviewing Boryshnikov and said what you learned from Gregory what
do you think he'd answer? I don't know I don't know. Didn't you notice any
influence of your style on him? He maybe stoops over a little bit more. Stoop to
conquer? Here's a list of the five most rented video cassettes according to
Billboard magazine. At number five the Academy Award-winning Amadeus. At four
Ladyhawk. Three the Breakfast Club. Number two Ghostbusters and at number one again
Beverly Hills Cop. Coming up this weekend on Entertainment This Week
Barbara Streisand, Willie Nelson, Alan Thicke, Pete Townsend and Rona Barrett
with Dionne Warwick. This weekend only on Entertainment This Week.
This week violinist Isaac Stern was named the 1986 musician of the year by
the editors of the Musical America International Directory of the
Performing Arts. The honor also happens to coincide with Stern 65th birthday his
50th anniversary as a performer and his 25th year as president of Carnegie Hall.
In rock and roll news Julian Lennon has a new video out with a twist and a shout.
Barbara Hauer has the story. Only last year Julian Lennon burst onto the music
scene with his album The Lot which made its way to the top ten on the charts.
Lennon believes the attendant publicity included too many heavy-handed
inquiries about his family in particular the connection with his father John
Lennon and his relationship with his stepmother Yoko Ono. Do you think that
the press has distorted the things you've said in the past? Oh yeah sure
well just a couple of things. Well I mean all over the country it's different
obviously in England they've been quite a bit funny with me but over here it's
not been bad at all. Hoping to finally satisfy the media's
curiosity about things other than his music Lennon put together a video for
public sale called Stand By Me a portrait of Julian Lennon. It's a collage
of his recent US tour and what's touted as an in-depth interview. The stories
that came up weren't promoting the album or anything it was just Julian slags off
Yoko again. It was like getting something off my back so it was a it was a relief
to do that for me in a way I don't know why but it just felt good. There have been
reports in the press in this country about friction between yourself and your
stepmother what is the situation between you all Julian? Well hmm well it was there
was a bit of friction but we've we've got back together a couple of couple of
weeks ago and I can't believe how well we get on together. A long year and a lot
of hard work is paid off with success other than professional leaving Lennon
better able to cope with previously touchy subjects. With his father's famous
my optic eyes and fine wispy hair. I just feel as I know a little bit more enough
to to be able to deal with things a little better and and obviously more
relaxed about all situations you know. I'm not scared of going into anything or
saying anything anymore. The Rascals, Procol Harem and Sly Stone on Yuppie
Video. That story and more when we return.
A new television show is on the way for those baby boomers too old to rock and
roll with the likes of Twisted Sister. Lisa Gibbons has more on Deja Vu. It's a
case of state-of-the-art TV and the baby boom generation. If you grew up before
music videos not to worry the sounds of the 60s with the sights of the 80s can be
yours on Deja Vu. Two one-hour syndicated specials featuring 12 oldies
but goodies with newly created videos will be hosted by singer-songwriter
John Sebastian of Love and Spoonful fame. Superficially it is certainly for people
my age and in this 20 to 40 area but I have also been surprised by how many
14 year olds contemporaries of my son I find are interested in this type of
music. Not only have the songs of the 60s met the technology of the 80s but you'll
also see some familiar faces in these videos like these guys the cast of Saint
elsewhere. Do you think there's a group of people out there folks who are just
forever lost in the 60s? Oh yes I think I'm one of them as a matter of fact if
you if you find me send me back. Some of the other videos feature 60s music
stars and well-known actors like Terry Gahr and Harry Dean Stanton.
If the two premier shows are hits don't be surprised to see Deja Vu become a
regular series next fall. Lisa Gibbons entertainment tonight. Name that group
Mary. Procol Harrah. Oh terrific. Sunday night coming up on CBS a show called
Circus of the Stars and it features our own Mary who was definitely wired for a
natural high. Look at this. 20 feet in the air there Rob. You're 20 feet. Notice
the technique because you're gonna have to do this one of these days soon. I love
it and those are your own personal hula hoops too Mary. I've seen those before.
Those are still in the trunk of my car. The wire isn't. Look at this balance and
that's is there a net underneath there? There was a net thank goodness it didn't
make it any less scary though. Well you see the whole act coming up and what you
didn't get to see Mary was on crutches for weeks here on entertainment tonight
with a faltering practice. Well you'll just have to tune in and see if we fall
during the act. You made it. Congratulations. Thanks. Behind the scenes report on Bob Hope's
first TV movie and an interview with Rocky's wife Talia Shire that's coming
up Monday on Entertainment Tonight. One of the biggest hits for Sly and the
Family Stone was 1969's Everyday People. Thanks to new technology and the show
Deja Vu that song lives again on video. We'll see you Monday. Have a good weekend.
Bye-bye.
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