Thursday, June 07, 2001
WB may adopt new sitcom name
By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WB network executives are considering changing the title of Maybe I'm Adopted, after a Norwood woman launched a national protest about the fall sitcom's name.
Gail Huff, a Norwood mother of two adopted children, has urged subscribers to her online adoption newsletter to write WB executives.
There's nothing official yet on the title change. It is being discussed, but there has been no determination yet, says Keith Marder, WB publicist.
Variety reported last week that WB programmers would change the title of the sitcom about a 15-year-old girl (Reagan Dale Neis) who feels she doesn't fit in with her siblings or parents (Julia Sweeney, Fred Willard).
Mrs. Huff this week recruited a new ally in her campaign Delilah, the nationally syndicated radio DJ in town this week to promote her book, Love Somebody Today (Fireside Hardback; $20).
Delilah, who has adopted three children, told her book-signing crowd at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood Monday about Mrs. Huff's campaign. Her response to the show title: Oh, how horrid!
Delilah, who posts pictures of children awaiting adoption on her Web site, www.radiodelilah.com, told Mrs. Huff she would mention the protest campaign on the air and direct people to Mrs. Huff's Web site, www.miracleofadoption.com.
Delilah has 7 million listeners on 212 stations, including WRRM-FM (98.5). Her shows airs 7 p.m.-midnight.
The Norwood adoption advocate has suggested that WB change the title to Maybe I'm Dreaming.
This just plays into the negative tone associated with adoption that many of us in the adoption community are trying to change, Mrs. Huff says.
It is a horrible thing to insinuate that adoptive children do not "fit' in or "belong' in their families built by adoption, Mrs. Huff says.
Protest letters may be sent to WB Entertainment Co-Presidents Susanne Daniels and Jordan Levin, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522.
The show will air at 8:30 p.m. Fridays this fall following Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Former Frasier producer Suzanne Martin created the series, a co-production from Warner Bros. Television and Disney's Touchstone Television.
TV audition: Ever dreamed of being on TV, and hosting a Saturday matinee? WSTR-TV (Channel 64) will hold open auditions 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday to replace movie co-host Dave Zelina, who's moving to New York to pursue a show business career on a slightly bigger stage.
The new host, a part-time contract position, will join Lonna Larger introducing movies and doing skits on Cinema 64 (noon-6 p.m. Saturday). The Cinema 64 co-hosts also will emcee station events, represent WB64 on radio, and appear in TV promotions.
Chris White, Channel 64 program director, says candidates should have a flexible schedule to accommodate shoots and events. This position is ideal for people who want a career on camera, but have not yet received their "break,' he says.
Auditions will be in the Channel 64 studio, 5177 Fishwick Drive, Bond Hill, just east of the I-75 Towne Street exit. For more information, call the station, 641-4400.
Enquirering Mind: This Enquirering Mind wants to know: Do producers of ABC's Who Wants to be a Millionaire try to prohibit phone-a-friend helpers on the show from using the Internet to answer a question stumping contestants?
We try to devise questions that can't be researched on the Internet in 30 seconds, says Michael Binkow, a Millionaire supervising producer.
But the phone-a-friends can do whatever they want. If the Internet enables them to find the answer, so be it. We want the contestants to succeed, he says.
VCR alert: Friends of Lisa Gopman, 24, a 1995 Sycamore High School graduate, should set the tape for Mandy (1 p.m. Friday, MTV) to see the Tristate native perform her stand-up comedy routine.
The show was taped in Key West, Fla. She's the daughter of Arnold Gopman of Montgomery.
Radio note: WGRR-FM (103.5) DJ Steve Mann and his brother, Mark Malik, competed in the California Ironman endurance race last month. The race consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle race and a 26-mile marathon, says their father, Dennis Malik.
Action Auction: Items up for bid at the 33rd annual Action Auction (3 p.m.-midnight today, Channel 48) include a three-night Bermuda vacation, a seven-night Amazon trip, a complete set of the John Ruthven Puppies prints and Cincinnati Reds tickets.
Around the dial: Reach for the Sky: Inside the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds features highlights from the Thunderbirds' air shows last year (8-10 p.m., Channel 16).
Contact John Kiesewetter by phone: 768-8519; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkiesewetter@enquirer.com.
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