'Pasadena' is a can't-miss Friday night soap opera

Fox Broadcasting

Martin Donavon (from left) Alison Lohman, Christopher Marquette, Mark Valley, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Balthazar Getty star in 'Pasadena' on Fox.

Will we drown in the lather or will we play in the suds of TV's newest nighttime soap, "Pasadena"?
   Lily McAllister (Alison Lohman) lives a charmed life as "Pasadena's" central character (8 p.m. Friday on FOX). She gets what she wants from her doting parents Will (Martin Donovan) and Catherine (Dana Delany), and she's proud to be a McAllister, with their rich history and widely publicized philanthropy.
   But one night, Lily's flawless life is torn apart when she is surprised by an intruder who pulls a gun on her and ends up taking his own life. Lily is dazed, but things get worse when she witnesses her family covering up the incident and nonchalantly carrying on with their fortunate lives.
   The suspense grabbed us during last week's season opener, but will we come back for more familial hatred and out-and-out indulgence? This viewer will.
   Radio Next no more
   The pop-driven KRAD-FM/105.5 is no longer Radio Next, a Spanish-infused contemporary hits station. Station managers recently switched format, and now KMJR-FM/105.5 (La Mejor) broadcasts regional Mexican music.
   "We modified the format of that station and turned it into a true Spanish format," said Luis Villarreal, vice president for Rodriguez Communications. "We brought in a morning show that used to be syndicated, and we'll be syndicating it from the studio here in Corpus Christi. These guys (including Joaquin Garza) have been successful in the regional Mexican format for years ... and we're already signed up in 40 markets."
   Villarreal helped create the Radio Next format, which can still be found in Laredo.
   "I still think there's a need for (Radio Next) and a niche, but we needed to hit a broader segment of the population," Villarreal said. "We needed to appeal to the Spanish people in the area, and that's what we're doing."
   He said the Radio Next format is still performing well in Laredo, showing a 25 percent ratings increase last period.
   Free film series
   The University Cinema series at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is back, and the schedule is full of classics. All films start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Corpus Christi Hall, Room 118 on the A&M-Corpus Christi campus. The showings are free.