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Tuesday, June 10, 2003

By Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV Editor

'V' on track to return

NBC has made a script commitment to Warner Bros. Television for a three-hour movie based on the '80s sci-fi franchise "V." According to Daily Variety, Kenneth Johnson, who created the saga, will return to write, direct and executive produce the film.

The original miniseries used the invasion of Earth by alien lizards disguised as humans to draw parallels to Nazi occupation and the Holocaust.

The first miniseries aired in 1983 and was followed by a second miniseries, "V: The Final Battle," and a weekly series that lasted a single season.

"V: The Second Generation" will be set 20 years after the original, and Johnson is talking to the stars of the original -- including Marc Singer, Robert Englund, Jane Badler and Faye Grant -- about reprising their roles.

If the project goes forward, the new "V" won't be available to air until fall 2004 at the earliest, according to Variety.

PBS honors Mister Rogers

	PBS President and CEO Pat Mitchell, left presented PBS's first-ever "Be More" award to Joanne Rogers. (Lauren Radack, PBS)

At PBS's annual meeting this past weekend in Miami, PBS president Pat Mitchell presented the first "Be More" award to Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers' widow, in recognition of his contributions to inspiring children.

"For more than 30 years, Mister Rogers offered children a place where they feel accepted and understood. He spoke directly to children, and they listened," Mitchell said in a statement. "No other individual symbolizes the aspiration to 'Be More Caring' in our communities than Fred Rogers. There are very few people whose lives so closely resemble their good intentions. Fred was one of them."

Mitchell also presented Joanne Rogers with a $1,000 contribution to The Fred Rogers Fund, which was established to ensure the continuation of Rogers' work through his company, Family Communications Inc.

The "Be More" award will be given annually to individuals who inspire public television viewers to be more informed, caring, engaged, creative and open-minded.

WTAE charity auction

Channel 4 will televise its 17th annual "Project Bundle-Up Auction" Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Meteorologists Joe DeNardo and Stephen Cropper will host the telecast, which will feature 1,100 items up for auction, including Penguins and Steelers collectibles.