TV VIEWERS VOICE

Are you ready for the April/May sweeps, because there’s some excellent television programming coming your way. I’m especially excited because a show that Viewers Voice once named their Favorite New Show of the 1996-97 seasons is going to be celebrating their 150 episode on Monday, April 21^st at 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., CST. “7th Heaven” has been The WB and Spelling Television’s highest rated series and even in its seventh season, is showing no signs of slowing down.  The really good news is it has been renewed for another two seasons.

This episode titled, “We Do” is written by creator Brenda Hampton and features the return of series regulars Barry Watson and Jessica Biel. The story starts out a little stormy  and threatens to postpone Lucy (Beverly Mitchell) and Kevin’s (George Stults) wedding causing family and friends to scramble to make it to the church in time  Mary (Jessica Biel) barely catches the last flight in  and brings a surprise guest with her. All the times Viewers Voice has been on the set of “7^th Heaven” we have never met Jessica but it sure was good to see her back on the show. She always played the bad girl of the Camden’s and made the show interesting.

Going back to this special episode, Chandler (Jeremy London) and Roxanne (Rachael Blanchard) rush to pick up Kevin’s brother Ben (Geoff Stults ) and his mother (guest . star Bo Derek) who are stranded at the airport, but tensions run high and a fist fight breaks out. This part of the show I found extremely funny and added a little humor to a somewhat teary eyed and touching story.

The segment that touched me the most was when Matt (Barry Watson) sits down with Lucy and tells her why she doesn’t want to postpone her wedding just because she’s having some doubts.  He explains to her: “Life is short Luc, I see it every day. People who thought they had more time to do the things they want to do. People who want the idea, who never appreciated the less than ideal ordinary day with their family and friends, people who are indecisive or too scared to do what was in their heart, then found they weren’t going to get another chance. Your whole life is in front of you and you have a man you love to share it with….” Matt goes on to say more and I have a feeling that Barry wrote this particular part for Matt.    

Barry has just finished treatment in real life for Hodgkin’s disease, a lymphatic system cancer. He kicked the disease and is now cancer free. While he was undergoing chemo treatment he put his acting career on hold and was writing for “7^th Heaven,” that’s what makes me think the words he was telling Lucy came from his heart. Barry’s hair is very short from the chemo, but I personally hope he keeps it that way, he looked very handsome.   

Reverend Camden (Stephen Collins) makes his much-anticipated return to the pulpit to perform the emotional ceremony. If you have watched this series from the beginning you’re not going to want to miss this episode. It’s not only entertaining it’s a show you can watch as a family. Additional guest stars include Ed Begley Jr. and legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller.

The thing that really makes “7^th Heaven” so great is that the people behind the scenes are   just as nice as the characters on the show. The creator, Brenda Hampton, was at one of our Viewers Voice Award Banquets with her husband and newly adopted daughter. We had a great time with them; they were warm and friendly and made everyone feel like old friends. Stephen Collins and his wife Faye Grant (“State of Grace), who have attended a couple of our award banquets, are also very down to earth people and a joy to be with. The whole cast and crew is pretty much that way and I believe that’s what makes the show a hit.

Just a little special information, Stephen Collins has a new CD out in stores, singing songs from the sixties.

PAX TV kicks off the sweeps with an original movie “Killer Flood” Friday, April 25, at 7:00-9:00 p.m., CST. Bruce Boxleitner (“Babylon”), Joe Lando (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) and Michele Greene (“L.A. Law”), star in this fast moving drama that tells the story of a wrongfully accused architect determined to salvage his reputation by saving his town from a catastrophic deluge.

I found the movie very entertaining and was happy to see Joe Lando back in action again. Joe has his hair very short and compared to the long sexy hair he had on “Dr. Quinn” it takes a little getting used too. He plays the good guy in “Killer Flood” and is determined to help save the town from the impending flood disaster.

On May 4, at 7:00 p.m., CST, Showtime presents the premiere of the Showtime original picture Tennessee Williams’ “The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.” Based on the Tennessee Williams’ novel and set in post-war Italy, the film tells the story of widowed, aging American actress Karen Stone and her affair with a young Italian gigolo. The drama features an award-winning cast that includes Helen Mirren (“Gosford Park”), Olivier Martinez (“Unfaithful”), Anne Bancroft (“Agnes of God”) with Brian Dennehy (“A Season on the Brink”).

Karen Stone (Mirren), a middle-aged Broadway star, is incongruously cast by her devoted, doting husband and manager Tom (Brian Dennehy), as the female lead in “Romeo and Juliet.” Unforgiving reviews and Tom’s delicate health persuade her to quit the New York stage and go to Rome for a holiday. While in Rome, Tom suddenly dies of a heart attack and Karen is left in a strange country alone.

At a crossroads in her life, Karen decides to stay in Rome to scatter Tom’s ashes and consider her future. Responding to a card of condolence, she meets with the Contessa (Anne Bancroft), a charming and cunning woman who presides over a party of handsome men, grooming them for introduction to wealthy widows.

“The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone,” is a fantastic story and a good reason to subscribe to Showtime. It’s not exactly a program you can watch with young children but then again parents you may need some quality time watching something to stimulate your mind.

Have a great Easter and let your voice be heard.