Want to get on the same page with author Ernest J. Gaines?

        WCET-TV is looking for audience members to discuss Mr. Gaines' A Lesson Before Dying Tuesday (8 p.m., Channel 48) with the author.

        The program is part of the “On The Same Page” community reading project.

        Channel 48 has seating for 30 people for the live broadcast of On The Same Page: An Evening with Ernest J. Gaines, says producer Joanne Grueter. Michelle Hopkins from WLWT-TV (Channel 5) will host the program.

        Those interested in attending the TV show must make a reservation by calling Ms. Grueter at 381-4033, Ext. 558, or e-mailing her at joanne_grueter@wcet.pbs.org.

        If you can't make it downtown Tuesday, you can participate in the TV discussion by telephone or e-mail, Ms. Grueter says.

        Mr. Gaines, whose novel won the 1993 National Book Critics Circle Award, will talk about the book during a free lecture at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Cincinnati's Shoemaker Center. (Information: 556-4194).

        Channel 48 also will air Ernest J. Gaines: Louisiana Stories, a one-hour documentary by Louisiana Public Television, at 7 p.m. Sunday.

        HBO's adaptation of A Lesson Before Dying won two Emmy Awards in 1999, for best TV movie and best movie screenplay.

        Montel replay: The Montel Williams show from last Friday, which was interrupted by live coverage of Attorney General John Ashcroft signing the racial-profiling settlement at Cincinnati City Hall, will be repeated Friday (10 a.m., Channel 5) by popular demand.

        On the show, Mr. Williams talked about his battle with multiple sclerosis, and new treatments for the disease.

        “We had a lot of viewer calls and e-mails,” says David Rosch, Channel 5 program director.

        Survivor finale: CBS wants to shoot the conclusion of Survivor: Marquesas in New York's Central Park, if city officials approve it, the Associated Press reports.

        The last two Survivors ended with a live telecast from CBS Television City in Los Angeles.

        The two-hour finale is scheduled for 8 p.m. May 19 (Channels 12, 7), the last Sunday of May sweeps.

        That night will be a multiple VCR alert. The TV competition includes NBC's Cosby Show reunion, the series finale for The X-Files and a two-hour season finale for The Practice.

        All-star Survivor: Producer Mark Burnett has shelved plans for a celebrity Survivor in favor of an “all-star” edition with players from previous games.

        He also would invite distinctive players from previous games, not just past winners. The alumni Survivor could air next season.

        Mr. Burnett also has approval from Thailand to shoot a Survivor there, though he wouldn't confirm that's where Survivor 5 will be shot for fall. His production team also has scouted South America locations near the Amazon River.

        Survivor suggestions: Why is Survivor so popular in Cincinnati? And what does that say about us? We'd like to know.

        E-mail your comments to jkiesewetter@enquirer.com, or send them to “Survivor,” c/o John Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202. Please include your name, neighborhood and daytime phone number.

        TV news: Photographer Richard Schuldlos, who shot Joe Webb's HomeTown features, has left WCPO-TV to work for former Channel 9 reporter Jay Shatz, whose Jay TVproduces Around the House.

        Former WXIX-TV (Channel 19) reporters Jill Eichhorn and Wendy Shaw have joined Alliea Phipps' 3C Media public relations company.

        Mac back: Here's a no-brainer: Fox has renewed The Bernie Mac Show for fall. Networks will announce their fall lineups the week of May 12.

        Early exit: Steve Friedman, the former Today show producer who created The Early Show, will leave the CBS morning show along with host Bryant Gumbel in May. Former Today show executive Michael Bass has been named Early Show executive producer. He will hire Mr. Gumbel's replacement.

        Half note: Actor Dorian Gregory (Charmed) has been added to NBC's The Other Half talk show (10 a.m., Channel 7). He replaces Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and Middletown native Dr. Jan Adams.

        He joins Dick Clark, Danny Bonaduce and Mario Lopez.

        Urich repeat: Fans of Robert Urich, who died Tuesday, can catch his final performance in Night of the Wolf (9 p.m. Friday, Animal Planet). The actor plays a ranch foreman in the film, which premiered Monday.

        Mr. Urich, 55, died of synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that attacks the body's joints.
        Contact John Kiesewetter by phone: 768-8519.
       

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