Predictions for TV '97

Perched on the cusp of the New Year, I would like to offer four reflections on the past 12 months of television -- and four predictions for the coming 52 weeks:

1. Catholics In Media Associates (CIMA) gave awards in 1996 to "Dead Man Walking," "Touched by an Angel," "Fly Away Home" and Carroll O'Connor. After a Mass, the prizes were presented at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles, hosted by Shelley Fabares of "Coach."

CIMA, an organization of Catholics who work in film and television, tries to call attention to programs and people who are doing good work.

"Dead Man Walking," the film about a nun's attempt to help a man on death row find forgiveness, is available on video and should be seen by anyone interested in the death penalty, conscience, reconciliation and faith.

"Touched by an Angel" is the CBS series about a gang of angels who go around helping people change their lives for the better. CIMA applauded the show's "theologically correct, spiritually sound angels [who are] not dead humans but separate spiritual beings created by God to serve Him as His messengers."

"Fly Away Home" is a movie about a girl, some geese and her father. The result, says CIMA, is a film "with a positive message that the entire family can enjoy."

O'Connor was cited for his series, "All in the Family," "Archie Bunker's Place" and "In the Heat of the Night," and for his personal commitment to humanitarian causes.

PREDICTION: Madonna will not win a CIMA award in 1997.

2. PBS will show "The Abortion Pill" and "The Roots of Roe" in January (check local listings). The former is described as "a one-hour special that examines how a potent mix of business, politics and ethics have kept this drug out of the U.S. for nearly a decade." The latter "traces the history of contraception and abortion in America from colonial times to the present."

PREDICTION: Neither documentary will declare that "a child dies during an abortion and therefore it is a reprehensible practice."

3. A Catholic newspaper asked me recently to name TV shows that "stress activism or service." It took me a while to come up with some possibilities, such as ""Seventh Heaven," "Promised Land," "Touched by an Angel" and "Dangerous Minds." Can you think of any more?

PREDICTION: Seinfeld and company will not join a group of yuppies who volunteer to serve meals to the homeless.

4. OCIC-USA has been formed. The first four letters come from a French phrase meaning International Catholic Organization of Film, a Vatican-affiliated group that promotes dialogue among filmmakers, critics, educators and audiences.

Organizers hope to create a U.S. group "that will participate in the global dialogue about the role of film, increase public understanding of the potential of film to illuminate the spiritual dimension of human life, and facilitate dialogue about film art and its expression of human and spiritual values."

PREDICTION: Cultivating the garden behind the scenes, OCIC-USA will bear sweet fruit that we will eat hungrily without ever knowing who planted the seeds.

(01-02-97) [[In-content Ad]]