There aren’t many big-ticket television shows just for women.
They get to watch shows that have universal appeal, like the Academy Awards, Emmys or the Tonys. Sporting events like the Olympics and figure skating routinely attract women. But there is no World Series-type programming that is just for them.
Anne Archer is trying to change that.
The Oscar-nominated actress (“Fatal Attraction”; she was just in the USA Network Movie “My Husband’s Secret Life,” but she’d rather not talk about that), has come up with an event for which she thinks women “will mark their calendars.”
“The World Fashion Premiere From Paris” marks the first time runway modeling has had such a high profile on a network. Airing Thursday at 8 p.m., the two-hour ABC special will showcase designs during so-called “Fashion Week” which took place in Paris several days ago. It airs on WLS-Ch. 7.
Usually you can find fashion coverage on cable’s CNN or E! Entertainment Television. But Archer says those CNN/E! shots are just “news clips,” while “World Fashion” will feature more complete coverage.
“You’re going to see all the great fashion houses, you’re going to see Paris, you’re going to see wonderful pieces about how fashion relates to the everyday woman,” says Archer, who serves as host with actress/model Isabella Rossellini (“Merlin,” “Blue Velvet”).
Internationally renowned designers, usually a competitive bunch who fear being copied, have agreed to allow their designs to be broadcast under a special arrangement created in part by Archer’s husband, television producer Terry Jastrow, who has overseen opening and closing ceremonies for several Olympics.
Jastrow once followed his wife to some fashion shows, and Archer says he found them to be “fun, exciting, elegant, gorgeous, sometimes erotic.”
And perfect for television.
“World Fashion” won’t shortchange the audience, insists Archer, who is a co-producer. Instead of seeing bits of only a few designs, this special can feature up to 40 pieces of a single designer’s collection.
Archer, who admits she’s doesn’t give “a lot of attention” to clothing, feels “World Fashion” is tailor-made for TV. “It’s real performance art,” she says of some fashion shows. “That’s the thing that makes it so exciting for television.”
If successful, look for future “World Fashion” telecasts.
– But what about Michaela: If there is any lesson about Internet fan support for CBS’ “The Magnificent Seven,” it’s this: Anyone can get to you if you have an e-mail address.
Boy, can they get to you.
After a story appeared here a few weeks ago on the resurrection July 11 of the canceled cowboy series , thanks in part to a huge e-mail campaign from “Mag 7” devotees, electronic missives from fans came in to the Tribune for another canceled CBS series, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.”
Many of the e-mailers wondered why CBS could be more loyal to “Mag 7” when “Dr. Quinn” has been on the air longer, is more family-friendly, earned higher ratings, and, according to CBS honcho Les Moonves, generated more response for a canceled CBS show than any in recent memory.
“I’m sure the `Mag 7′ cast, crew and fans are all extremely happy,” writes Sharon Tomisak of Austin, Texas. “I can’t say that for myself and others (“Dr. Quinn” fans) who have worked diligently over the past several months, only to be heard on `dead ears’ at CBS.”
Barbara Baer of Nashville bears “no ill will to the fans of `Mag 7′ . . . I just want `Dr. Quinn’ to be given the same chance so that I will have something to look forward to as well.”
“Like the fans of `The Magnificent 7,’ the fans of `Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’ also have launched a worldwide campaign to save our beloved show,” says Amy McBay of Calumet City. “In addition to faxing, calling, e-mailing and writing CBS, we’ve taken out ads in the Hollywood Reporter and TV Guide.”
Other letters were more forceful.
One talked about devoting space to “such an inconsequential program”; another claimed CBS wanted to revive the show “all along” and used fan support as an excuse; and another labeled herself “extremely anti-`Mag 7′ due to its high violence level.”
CBS has put the ball in “Dr. Quinn” star Jane Seymour’s court. A spokesman for CBS says the network is “very interested” in doing a two-hour wrap-up movie for the frontier doctor, and Seymour and “Dr. Quinn” producer Beth Sullivan are said to be considering it. Daily Variety said that if the movie does well, it could lead to a series of TV films.
