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Show ‘TVI8—THE HERALD, Provo. Utah, Monday, January 21, 1980 Abby Mann’s Subjects Aim at Changing World HOLLYWOOD — Is beautiful, natural setting winning atop the Hollywood Hills, Hollywood writer, Abby overlonking Los Angeles. Mann, a study of A butler, who opens the door, soon duubles as a contrasts? Take his home, for bartender. Mann's chef, example: A winding, long whom helured from one road leading to his cozy of Los Angeles’s leading home, is nestled in a restaurants, pampers his and his frequent dinner multi-award GOODWILL TV Prompt Service Shop or Home Discount to Senior Citizens 225-7550 films and television displaced people aboard Malden portrays the an oceanliner looking for ailing, aging father of a a _new homeland. I did middle-America family. ‘Holvak’ about an The show is about the unsentimental preacher fate of a spirited who doubted his own steelworker who is feats. But I was so upset accustomed to taking with what the network Telly Savalas, Mann complains that Universal Television produced it as a formula cops story — with the cops solving all the crimes. “I wrote it tried to do that I took my originally to show that care of his family, and can’t, when heis striken nameoffit.” “There was ‘Medical byillness. “I have never done a Story.’ I wanted it to be a In this circumstance of luxury and affluence, subject without thinking I hard-hitting, Mann has created the had a shot at changing uncompromising series concept and first five the world,” Mann says about the medical profession, but it wound hours of a new television genuinely. series about a blue-collar He recalls his past up watered-down because family and its struggles writings of social and the networks preferred it politicalsignificance: that way.” for survival “Myfirst movie was He was disappointed The series is titled “Skag,” and its star is about the Nazi trials again with the network at treatment of “Kojak,” the respected actor Karl (‘Judgement Malden, a-~ much Nuremberg’). ‘Ship of outgrowth of his “The decorated performer in Fools’ was a story of Marcus-Nelson guests’ tastes. Murders,” for which he won an Emmy. Starring cops should be watched,” Manndeclares. He has very strong feelings, despite his revious disappointments, about the importance of television. “In Betting a point across,” he maintains, “television can be very seductive with its mass audience potential.” Mann labors at delivering messages, makingpoints. “I write a lot about howsocietylies to us, and how weacceptit,” Mann Draperies Winter | Specials Take Pee of these Fantastic Savings! 36% explains. His goals are more accessible as his prestige soars. He has a three-project commitment currently with Lorimar Productions, in which he hastotal creative control. “Skag” is not part of that three-film commitment, but Mannis very close to the project. He created the concept, wrote the first three hours, which aired in early January, on NBC. Therest of the nine-hour \ ABBY MANN,Hollywood writer and conceiver of the new NBC series, “‘Skag,” aims at changing the world with his subjects. The series airs on Channel 2 each Thursday at 9 p.m. fun. film his life,” Mann “Writing is the most reflects. ‘‘My great work. Producingis highly regret wasthatit finally materialized, but not over-rated,” he concedes. His first directorial effort was the miniseries, “King,” a project that was a laboroflove, which had disappointing ratings. It was the story of Rev. Martin Luther King, for whom Mann had deep feelings and a close friendship. “It bothered me that series airs Thursday for sv many years, couldn't get financing for evenings. He will not direct the a movie based onthelife series, although he of King, andI had totell acknowledges that, for him that no one was him, directing is the most - willing to spend moneyto before his death.” He says most of the ratings problems with “King” was “People DREAM COME TRUE 0%© OFF All Woven-Woods 30 of© OFF Ail in-Stock Fabrics CALL NOW FOR APPT. 785-366 Free In-Home Decorator Consultation 90 South State. Lindon CALL OLLECT ‘contact THE KITCHEN CENTERin Provo. See the experts today and find out more about their distinctive displays ‘available for yourkitchen With the nsingcosts of inflation THE KITCHEN Jourinvited to come by THE KITCHEN CENTER showroom and receive a free personalized estimate. countertops for your new home. Theyalso have didn’t understand King,” Mann laments, explaining that this might have caused the low ratings. As for “Skag,” Mann suggests that more people will relate to it because of its reality. OFF Levolors 3 WeekDelivery stiff competition — ABC's “Battlestar Galactica” movie, and a Burt Reynolds film on CBS. |