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Show By Buck A Biggers ' ' - f ' X ' .' 'Su f V,s V1 V, i ' M i f 'Ui atHMA' ANGIE DICKINSON, EARL HOLLIMAN We interrupt for this important message . . ON THE INSIDE: Police Woman" is an NBC series, but Angie Dickinson and Earl Holliman can thank another network (ABC) for the fact that their series was renewed and, especially, that it was renewed much earlier than most other series. Why? Because the ratings for "Police Woman" have not been strong this season, the program seldom attracting a 30 percent share of the audience, generally the minimum required to earn renewal. So prospects for making it into another season did not appear bright. But then ABC brought on for testing a spring show titled Dog and Cat," a series which, if not a copy of Police Woman," certainly had much in common with it. When NBC programmers saw this, they began to look at Police Woman in a new light. After all, if it was worth copying by the Number One network (ABC), then it certainly must be worth renewing on NBC. So they did. And shortly thereafter, ABC announced that their new season would not include Dog and Cat. So Angie and Earl will be on their own again. They had better find a way to get those ratings up, or their series may not be around to welcome 1978. RECORD HOLDER: ABC's programming now a series that holds quite a record. It includes (once-a-weewas the shortest-runnin- g hit series ever to run on network TV. The show is Toma, based on the real-lif- e exploits of a New Jersey cop. The episodes rated extremely well in ABC but the star of the show, Tony primetime back In 1972-7Musante, kept insisting he did not want to continue with the series for more than a year. Everyone thought Musante was simply making the usual contract noises to get better pay und privileges. But not Tony Musante. "My aim in this business is to act, not to get rich, said Tony. And he meant t. OUR TOWN: Please be sure to watch the Bell System's . , j I f late-nig- f I 3, I I FPAGE 12 THIS WEEK ht . . . PROSPECTS juMmi A tik BRIGHTEN presentation of Thorton Wilders "Our Town" on NBC Monday night, May 30. This is the first production of any of Wilders works since his death more than a year and a half ago. But of even greater importance, it is a production in which Wilder himself participated. Saul Jaffe, executive producer, worked out this special TV approach in discussions with the playwright over the last three years of Wilder's life. Set in a small New England town between 1901 and 1913, the play offers an affectionate look at life as it was in America. But it does much more than that. As Saul Jaffe explains it: The play gives unique expression to the positive, affirmative values which conferred upon this nation the mantle of moral leadership throughout the world those simple human values that make life worthwhile. A couple of other excellent reasons for watching are two of the stars: Hal Holbrook and Sada Thompson (the mother on "Family.). We promise you it will be an uplifting experience. Watch. TURN BACK THE CLOCKS: Twelve years ago . Tom Bosley had been signed to play the lead in Screen Gems new series based on the hit movie "Marty" . . The Late Show was South Sea Woman starring Burt Lancaster and Virginia Mayo . . . CBS refused to allow Irene Ryan (Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies") to appear on NBCs Andy Williams Show" . . . Rumor was that if the New York Yankees again made it to the World Series, Mel Allen would A favorite TV riddle was, What not be at the microphone is square and can count up to three? Answer: Lawrence Welk . . . When asked how she felt about the continuing trend toward screen nudity, Tina Louise (Ginger on Gilligan's Island) answered, "I won't take off my clothes just to be taking off my clothes, but will dress or undress as the role requires." Until next time, look happy. . . ... I . |