The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 28

Wednesday. April 1. S3-. Mexican comedy compared to hit sitcom -Seinfeld' A. Martinez turns down 'OLTL' role By Matthew Doman BP1 ENTERTAINMENT REPORT LOS ANGELES The launch of a Mexican "Seinfeld" could signal a new form of free trade.

Andres, Dino, Jose Angel and Lenny are four thirtysomething single men sharing an apartment and their frustrations in the Big City. It may sound like a conventional sitcom setting, but there's a twist the bustling metropolis is Mexico City. Welcome to "Buenos Para Nada" (Good for Nothing), Latin America's first couch comedy, which some are already dubbing the Mexican "Seinfeld." There are obvious similarities between the NBC sitcom and the TV Azteca production that debuted in Mexico recently to great fanfare. Both feature popular comics as lead characters and a fixed setting with occasional "swing" sets. "Buenos," which stars comedian Andres Bustamante, takes place largely in the Mexico City apartment but will visit a funeral parlor in the second episode and a medical clinic the following week.

TV Azteca, which stunned the broadcast industry here by successfully importing U.S. hits "The Nanny" and "The Simpsons," is betting that Mexican audiences are hungry for sophisticated homegrown comedy. The format has been ignored by Latin American producers in 1 )l ff 1 v. vmn 4 tMiiMiMMMMMMMMaMM lB MmjijBllgIBl- Kristian Alfonso plays Hope Brady on recent years, despite the fact that early sitcoms such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" had been popular staples in the early years of regional TV. Instead, Latin American comedy content has typically consisted of corny sketch-oriented programs and bawdy variety shows.

That TV Azteca is throwing funds into a comedy series is a significant step for the 4-year-old network. Until now it has made its name with smart and sharp soap operas about life in modern Mexico from entertaining but savvy portrayals of official corruption and crime, to its current hit, "Mirada de Mujer" (A Woman's Gaze), about the breakdown of a well-to-do family after the father's extramarital affair. The step into sitcoms comes after Azteca's surprising prime-time coups with "The Nanny" and "The Simpsons." Critics two years ago said both programs were too "American" for Mexican audiences, and particularly doubted "The Nanny's" chances to last. But to rival Televisa's shock, both programs took off. Azteca has since had lesser success with "Suddenly Susan." "Buenos" director Luis Velez plays down the "Seinfeld" connection.

"Obviously there is some influence, but perhaps a lot more coincidence," he said. "We wanted to do something more innovative, to appeal to a more modern and sophisticated ful muscle aches, joint aches, simple backache, bruises, and more. Although the mechanism of action is unclear, experiments indicate that Arthur Itis, relieves pain by first selectively attracting and then destroying the messenger chemical which carries pain sensations to Available at: Wingards Pharmacy Minton's Pharmacy 143 N. Main 101 Grace Street 223-6120 223-7511 Hope 's mother, Addie, was killed in accident On a recent episode of "Days of Our Lives," Hope mentioned her parents. Who are they, and where are they? G.K.

in Lubbock, Texas Want to know about the long saga of Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and her parental Here goes: Hope's mom, Addie (Patricia Barry), was the eldest daughter of Alice (Frances Reid) and Tom Horton (Mac-Donald Carey). Addie Soap by Lynda Pain may be eliminated Opera Hirsch By Lynda Hirsch CREATORS SYNDICATE Forget all those rumors that have A. Martinez, formerly Cruz on "Santa Barbara," joining the "One Life to Live" cast. According to Martinez, he has been very honored by the offer made by the show's executive producer, Jill Feren Phelps, "but for now I have no plans to move to New York. In fact, I am doing a pilot for the UPN network.

I hope the show sells. I would love nothing more than to have a regular series in L.A." His wife, Leslie, and three children! love Los Angeles, and so does he. Someone who has returned to daytime is Kevin Spirtas in the role of Kevin Wesley on "Days of Our Lives." Wesley becomes Mike's (Roark Critchlow) medical school rival. Thorn Christopher returns to "One Life to Live" on April 13. So, is he Carlo Hesser or Mortimer Bern? No one is talking.

"General Hospital's" Nancy Grahn (Alexis) gave birth to a daughter on Feb. 24. Named Kate, she weighed in at 6 pounds. Mother and daughter are doing fabulously. Over on "Guiding Light," Kurt McKinney (Matt) and his wife, Maronda, welcomed the birth of daughter Madison Taylor.

Born March 10, the 8 pound, 10 ounce girl was greeted at home by 2-year-old brother, Cole. McKinney's cast-mate Fiona Hutchison (Jenna) and her husband Viscardi, also said hello to their second child. Trevor West-cott, born on March 3, weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Over en "All My Children," look for the long-thought-dead Mike Roy to return in April. The adventurous reporter was one of the many loves and husbands of Erica's (Susan Lucci) life.

Nicholas Surovy is set to return and create problems for Erica. rrrir kXJL f2 mm i (SPECIAL) A drug that is exciting researchers in the treatment of pain has been formulated into a new product known as "Arthur Itis," and is being called a "Medical some, in the treatment of debilitating conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, pain Cambridge Pharmacy Parrish Pharmacy 202 W. Cambridge Ave. 305 W. Alexander Ave.

223-8632 227-6841 sense of humor. How successful he wilt remains to be seen. Reaction the first episode was mixedJwTrt use of canned laughter brCpgH groans frora many the show's recent debut. But it looks as if "Bnno Para Nada" might be the bfSginJ ning of a comedy 1 Latin versions of established U.S. sitcoms are in the worksj including an update of "Who! the Boss?" slated, to roll this year.

"The studios see a big SP315 ish-speaking market, but that just dubbing U.S. not enough tp tapture Velez. 4 Reprise releasfs CD that featurij Sinatra in Vegas By Marc Pollack BPI ENTERTAINMENT WEPOftT LAS VEGAS Reprise Recordsand Las Vegas New York-New York Hotel 4j Casino have joined forces to pal tribute to Frank Sinatra with thi CD "Lucky Numbers," a collecjj tion of 10 classic tracks from th Chairman of the Board. Through an agreement wifh Reprise which Sinatra founded "Lucky Nurftbers" is bfeing made available; exclusively t(j guests of New York-New York fo the next six rnonths. The alburr) will then be sold in stores.

for millions the brain, thus eliminating pain in the affected area. Arthur Itis is available immediately withouta prescription in an odorless, greaseless, non-staining cream or new roll-on lotion form. Arthur Itis, is guaranteed to work or your money back. Use only as directed 9 Sicllur Hcjllh Product. tlK ParrishPharmacy West Ninety Six Pharmacy 1202 A Abbeville Hwy.

105 Little Mountain Rd. 943-0950 543-2314 A liw, eidii.lei) nvfonmfrtl n.uj ure io iu our jsmk4i OfMnn and "UUtl, I Ji I Jiff fiargfs eM' fell in love with ex-con and night-club singer and owner Doug Williams (Billy Hayes). Addie, who had a terminal blood ailment, gave birth to Hope. A short time after the birth, Addie was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident. Doug then fell for Addie's daughter from another marriage, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes).

While the onscreen romance was going on, an off-screen romance developed between Seaforth and Hayes, with the couple eventually marrying. After lots of intrigue, Doug and Julie wed, so Hope's half-sister became her step-mother. Presently, Doug and Julie are THE GREAT on the longest world tour in the history of mankind over six years. I was wondering who won the first daytime Emmy for Best Actress? O.S. in Buffalo, N.Y.

The first daytime Kmmvs were presented in 1974. The categories were few, and the event was not even broadcast. Best Actress went to Mary Fickett for her portrayal of Ruth Martin. The actress won the award for the scene in which she talked about the death of her son Philip (Richard Hatch) in Vietnam. Later, Phillip (then played by Nick Benedict) was discovered to be alive.

Winning for best actor that year was James Pritchett, who played Matt Poweis on the "Doctors." The part of Ruth on "All My Children" was taken over by Lee Meriweather two years ago because Fickett only wanted to work part-time after her husband, director Alan Fristoe, had undergone open-heart surgery following several heart attacks. CREATORS SYNDICATE SARASOTA While supplies last at participating name fits' fljizF HOEr VantaVe GREENWOOD OWNED OPERATED BY; Richard Susan Hellman ADDRESS: 1421 By-Pass N.E. STORE HOURS: SurV M-F 8-7, Sat. 8-6 PHONE 864-223-4266 (3 mf-wj FREE KIDS TICKETS mi The fld THE Home appliances, audio and video Savings are off regular prices. Excludes clearance, doseouts, A Exceptional Values.

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