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Show A Look at "Serpico With so much crime in the world, why is it not more often put to use on television? Wouldnt viewers be more impressed by a cop series if the heroes had actually lived and the cases actually happened? Apparently not. Whereas Jack Webb did well with his use of Los Angeles police files (Dragnet" and Adam-12"- ), the vast majority of cop series have not been factual. Naked City, The Detectives," Felony Squad," "Mod Squad," Hawaii Five-O,- " NYPD," "Dan August," Ironside," "Police Story, even The FBI have all been fiction. Back in the late 50s, hero Eliott Ness of "The Untouchables" was a smashing success, but more recently detective, failed to develop Jigsaw John, another true-lif- e a following. Toma," dramatizing the true adventures of a New Jersey detective, was a surprising hit, and many critics believed this was due to its basis in reality. Yet when the star (Tony Musante) quit, the network simply replaced Musante with Robert Blake, changed the title to Baretta," dropped all connection with fact, and the series has gone on to even greater rating success. All of which simply underlines the fact that truth offers no immediate advantage for a cop series. And that brings us to Serpico," a new true-lifpresented by NBC every Friday night. Let's take a look in 3D (Difference, Depth and er Durability). 1. Difference: The disguises and the motorbikes and the may occasionally remind viewers of Baretta," but what makes this series significantly different is that Frank Serpico was an undercover agent, one who fought crime, not only in the streets, but also in the police department. So shunned, feared and hated by fellow police officers tongue-in-chee- k in 3-- D was Serpico that when he was shot in the face in 1971 members of the New York Police Department took up collection to hire a lawyer for the would-b- e assassin! In 1972, disabled and disillusioned, Frank Serpico retirei from police work and almost immediately divulged his fully documented story to the New York Times. That story and thi book, Serpico," form the basis for thi series. episodes in this 2. Depth: We knew David Birney only from his first series Bridget Loves Bernie," in which he played a very young rather intellectual husband with an almost effeminate loo! about him. Imagine, then, our first reaction to the an nouncement that Birney would be cast in the role of rough! I tough Frank Serpico! But in The Deadly Game, for this the series, David Birney quickly changed our opinion. That) character we saw in "Bridget Loves; sensitive, Bernie was simply a creation of the actors fine talents. Andj he has created an even more impressive, more believable! best-selli- pilot-mov- ie hot-hou- (although totally different) one in his portrayal Frank Serpico. 3. Durability: This program arrives at a time when cop series have clearly begun to wear out their welcome. Thus, in spite of a very special elegance and freshness, "Serpico" might be doomed to an early demise. But we think not. The fact that this series is true that Frank Serpico is a real hero and his adventures actually took place - may offer no immediate advantage (as we said earlier), but the smack of reality may be precisely what the doctor ordered to give this series the viewer loyalty and resulting long life It so richly deserves. We hope so. so chipper? S.E., Chagrin Falls, Ohio Yes. Redd's cheerfulness, stems from his refusal to concern himself with potential problems of the future. My says Redd, is. take care of today and philosophy, tomorrow will take care of itself. him A: CVlcailbcag BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE Q: When Sally Struthers first started being Gloria on "All in the Family, she said she felt out of place with Hollywood's beautiful people. Is she over that now? D.L.S., Decatur, Ga. SONGS WITHOUT WORDS dont understand Peter Marshall's Variety show. He has the biggest band in television, and then he keeps pulling that business about not remembering the lyrics of the songs. Does he think those two things to Q: I late-nig- ht together? N.N., Boston, Mass. The truth is, Peter Marshall has simply spread still has not found the quality movie role which would help himself too thin. He continues to take on new projects her feel more like a mature star. Perhaps this is why, even without being sure enough of their potential to give up any with all her fame and fortune, there are still occasional ol his old projects. He is still doing Hollywood Squares, a moments when, she says, I stand in the corner of a room by fulltime job in itself, plus his nightclub act, and now the myself and look at all the people and feel like a little girl in Variety series. Although Marshall admittedly sounds soph-mori- c the middle of a dream, happy to watch but too nervous to when he constantly forgets the lyrics while standing join in. in front of a beautifully rehearsed orchestra, it is unlikely that the situation will change unless he gets a bit more SCARLETT LADY courage. Q: Wasn't Susan Hayward high on the list of those conSTAND-Isidered for the role of Scarlett in "Gone With the Wind? SUPER Q: read that Lindsay Wagner was not very athletic, but I Md. H.M., Baltimore, cant it. Doesn't she do her own jumping and stuff on believe A: Yes. Susan Hayward, born Edythe Marrener In Brooklyn, "The Bionic Woman? K.T., Denver, Colo. N.Y., was a model who caught the eye of David 0. Selznick. A: No. Last time we looked, the lady subbing for Lindsay He brought her to Hollywood with the Scarlett role in mind. Susan lost out to Vivien Leigh, but then went on to stardom during all those dangerous moments was Rita Egleston, a stunt woman. It Is true that Lindsay, anyway, debuting in another 1939 film, Beau Geste. Miss top professional not the athletic type, which only proves what a is herself, March died at 1975 55. 14, age Hayward great actress she is, huh? A: Yes. Sally Sturthers has come into her own, although she A: No. I CHEERY FOXX Q: Redd Foxx always seems such a genuinely happy guy on talk shows. Does he have a personal philosophy that keeps PAGE 6 TV WEEK 6 (For an answer to your question about any TV program or actor, write to Mailbag, care of Publications, 2112 McKinney, Dallas, Texas, 75201.) Tel-Ai- re 6 |