Corpus Christi Caller-Times Ricardo Baca, media critic

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Friday, August 10, 2001

TNN cuts its country chord

Former National Network capitalizes on pop culture icons and savvy new shows

The new TNN program ‘Small Shots’ features filmmakers traversing the countryside making short films with local townspeople mocking those of Hollywood.

When did TNN become hip?
   Not only is the former Nashville Network (renamed The National Network) watchable, it's got a pop-culture savviness that may actually draw audiences beyond the Nashville region.
   We sometimes don't admit it, but we flip to see what's up with Crockett and Tubbs in "Miami Vice" reruns or what Huggy Bear's word on the street is in an old "Starsky andHutch." The network is popular with 18 to 49-year-olds, and its popularity is growing.
   TNN remains strong in older age groups and is the fastest growing cable network in primetime with people 18 to 49 years old, thanks mainly to its record breaking numbers with the Monday night broadcast of the "WWF Raw is War." The network is also on the verge of the

TNN has found an untapped vein in airing ‘Miami Vice’ reruns. The show is a favorite among viewers and people with the network, who see it as essential in their quest for popular culture.

biggest change since it shed its country roots: Its first five original programs are set to debut during the week of Aug. 20, most of which are culturally relevant and entertaining.
Here's a taste of the selection.

"Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors" (7 p.m. Monday Aug. 20) is hosted by the WWF's Mick Foley and features the house robots such as Sir Killalot, Sgt. Bash and Dead Metal, who patrol different zones of the post-apocalyptic arena. "Robot Wars" is the lead-in program to "Raw is War," cable's highest rated regularly scheduled program.

In "Ultimate Revenge" (7 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 21), host Ryan Seacrest fulfills the fantasy of anyone who wants to seek revenge on someone near and dear.

"Small Shots" (7 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 22) features filmmakers Chris Cox and Matt Sloan going to small towns and casting local people in spoofs of popular theatrical films, such as "Silence of the Yams" starring the people of Alton, Ill., and "Jurassic Dog Park" starring Washington, Mo., residents.

"Lifegame" (7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 23) is an adaptation of a popular off-Broadway play, which is based on the idea that everyone has a story to tell. In each episode, "Lifegame" brings an audience member and a celebrity on stage, each to narrate his or her life story while an improv troupe acts out the events.

"Pop Across America" (7 p.m. Friday Aug. 24) features host Steve Marmel traveling coast to coast on the back of a flatbed truck trying to capture the flavor and essence of each of the 13 cities.
   There's also the upcoming Kevin Nealon series, "Conspiracy Zone," or TNN's acquiring the syndicated rights to "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "C.S.I." If you catch only one new comedy on cable TV this year, tune in Wednesdays to "Small Shots." The filmmakers' interaction with the townspeople is delightful and precious, and it's easy to laugh at non-actors' attitudes about movies, Hollywood and method acting.

Pop culture and media critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 886-3688 or by e-mail at bacar@caller.com

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