Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / July 7, 1979, edition 1 / Page 20
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MEDIA MONITOR by Stevt K. Walz 'Angie' star Donna Pescow l ticks out Traditionally second season (January) TV series have tittle if any chance of becoming Nielsen winners, unless you happen to, be 'cradled' in a time-slot between two. established network hits. Such is the case with ABC's smash, 'Angie,' which rocketed to the top of the ratings heap on the basis of its lead-in show, the uproarious 'Mork and Mindy.' 'Angie,' which details the rags-to-riches story of a Philadelphia waitress meeting and falling in love with a well-to-do doctor. stars Brooklyn born Donna Pescow. For Donna, 'Angie' represents the apex of her meteoric rise to stardom after receiving critical acclaim as John Travolta's girl friend in 'Saturday Night Fever.' If opportunity knocks ... But as Donna tells it, she almost blew the opportunity to play the Angie Falco Benson character. "I spoke to Gary Marshall (executive producer) about the show a year ago, but at the time I was unavailable. Yet. I read the script and loved the concept, and eventually everyth ing worked out well. I'm really surprised everything happened so fast. To follow 'Mork' is the best thing that could have happened to us," Donria recollected. .. "Angie does what most people think about doing..." Ironically, there are distinct similarities between Donna and the two successful roles she has played. 'Saturday Night Fever' was filmed in and around Brooklyn and concerned the goings on between Brooklyn's Italian 'teenagers. Donna was born and raised in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay, a predomina tely Jewish and Italian neighbor hood. After trying to rid herself of the stereotypical Brooklynese accent, Pescow was told , to resurrect it for the flick. 'Angie' is situated in a middle class Philadelphia Italian neigh-" borhood where the distinctive accent is the norm . for the territory. "A good portion of Angie is me, although she may deal with a given situation quicker than me. In reality we're both pretty definite and impul sive. Angie does -what most people think about doing," said the green-eyed 25-year-old. Success , Donna attributes the show's success to the "wonderful com pany of actors" that are seen on the program. "There's lots, of input between the 'actors and writers and that's true of any series that has the same people week in and week out. Of course, our time position helps, too," she chuckled. "Overall I just think it's a great story to work with. There hasn't been - too much done about Philadelphia lately and here we have two newlyweds dealing with each other and the outside pressure of the social structure." Reflecting upon her own personal success during the last two years, Donna philosophically pointed out, "It takes knowing your craft, and really being prepared to work. In acting, you have to keep your instruments in tune. For me, 'Fever' opened a lot of doors. It was like going from the minors (she has been doing stagework) to the major leagues. In order for me to feel successful, I have to be proud of everything I do." Post Scripts: 'Angie' will be seen in a new time-slot for the fall 79 season. It will follow 'The Ropers' on Saturday night over ABC. TV OMNIUM KIMCtt, INC. Glossy 'Goldengirl' is slightly tarnished After cross-examining the girl's 'father,' who tells Dryden that he nurtured her from , age. four with a 2-THE CAROLINA TIMES SAT JULY 7, 1979 AQUARIUS (January 20 February 18) Your mate or a close associate may provide the lift you need, as situations take a turn for the better and vitality is restored. PISCES (February 19 - March 20) Long-term gains are made by seeking practical, unemotional answers to organizing your daily routine on a sounder basis. ARIES (March 21 April 21) Yoircan have what you want if you'll find a common ideal and unite on a mutual goal. , TAURUS (April 22 May 21) Misplaced papers or misunderstood dialogues may create difficulties. Health or job may be affected, too. GEMINI 5 (May 22 June 21) Accept delays in a light-hearted way, and don't let touchy nerves react oversensitively to life s little bumps and bruises. CANCER (June 22 July 23) Ignore rumors and innuendoes circulating at work or throughout the neighborhood. LEO tit 24 August 23) Sensitive conditions surrounding, and financial matters could create unrealistic worries. (July 2 family VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Financial backing and support may be a necessary part of your plans for the immediate future. LIBRA (September 24 October 22) Efforts to communicate your ideas or look for advancement through your work will pay off. SCORPIO (October 23 November 22) Your drive to get ahead could irritate others, some of whom could be definite assets to your aims. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 22) The accent is on romance, travel, gains through original enterprises and educational programs. CAPRICORN (December 23 January 19) Don't do things you'll regret when confronted by obstacles and frustrations in getting what you want out of life. . TV COMMM.OQ MRVKfS, INC. . by Steve K. Walz It's the dawn of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. Goldene Serafh (played by seductive Susan Anton), a heretofore relative unk nown, streaks to the sum mer games as a member of the American squad on the basis of her lightning-quick victories over the ranking female track stars. This darling of the media, this 'Goldengirl' of America, is a statuesque blonde of Amazon : . proportions, equipped with a disarming figure. '.: Inquiry Sports agent Jack Dryden (portrayed by James Coburn) is summoned by a conglomerate of business-, men and the adoptive father of the girl. Dr. Serafin (Curt Film Clips Jurgens)to spearhead their quest market the girl as a commercial commodity after she has won three Olympic gold medals. Mr. Dryden is intrigued with the idea of marketing this 'wonder woman', under the assumed condition that she wins, but when he is told how she is going to win and in which events she will participate, he becomes obsessed in finding out what makes Goldene tick. First he encounters and participates in a controlled press conference whereby Goldene is programmed to respond to the usual ques tions (in this case pre-taped) thrust at a star after a given event Then he is witness to Goldene's punishing wor- kouts in almost round- the-clock fashion. - uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu innn ' . if nrnwi nnnnnnii regimen of vitamin Injec tions in order to produce a physically superior being, Dryden becomes suspicious of the good doctor's theor ies and , of the subject herself. Goldene is initially reluc tant to respond to Dryden's prying about her early train ing methods, but eventually titillates the sports agent with the information-that in order to get the desired response, her teachers used a vibrator as a reward stimulus. A bemused Dryden shoots back with a line himself. "Boy. we've come a long way since Pavlov, haven't we?" But Dryden isn't finished. He consults a geneticist and is convinced that Goldene has been treated not with vitamin injections but with hormone shots, reminiscent of the Nazi eugenics pro grams during WWII. Has Goldene's father pur sued these theories in order to prove himself to the medical establishment and the world as a whole? Can Goldene possibly be aware of the risks her father has taken with her life? '
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
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July 7, 1979, edition 1
20
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