TV surprises in order for those staying home

TV surprises in order for those staying home

JAKARTA (JP): For those still suffering the aftershock over
the cancellation of party-till-two New Year's festivities (in
view of Ramadhan) try not to lose heart.

One can still enjoy on-the-couch parties with the likes of
Andy Garcia, Elizabeth Taylor and, of course, Santa Claus.

TV program agendas confirm rock-around-the-clock shows
beginning the third week of December. Their packed packages are
planned around the unusual close dates of both New Year's and the
beginning of Ramadhan.

Representatives of five local TV stations said programs
include drama specials, blockbuster movies, quiz and talk shows,
star-studded music programs and religious shows.

RCTI representative Anita Naryadi announced the airing of 24-
hour shows from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 at a recent press conference.

Anita said that TV specials would include Macaulay Culkin
movies.

While Home Alone will be aired at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Home
Alone 2 the same time on Dec. 25, Getting Even With Dad, The Good
Son and See You in the Morning will be aired on Dec. 29, Dec. 30
and Dec. 31 respectively at 10 p.m.

Horror-movie freaks can feast their eyes over the midnight
agenda from Dec. 23 to Dec. 29. On the list are Blindfold: Acts
of Obsession, Trapped and Deceived, Tombstone, Seduced and
Betrayed and Dead Badge.

Also planned on the late night agenda are action-packed movies
Fist of Glory, Sudden Thunder, Escape To Nowhere, Triple Impact,
The Hunted, Double Blast and Spyder.

A sure treat for Sean Connery and Roger Moore fans is a line
of 007 blockbusters like Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live
and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun at 8 p.m., from Dec.
29 to Jan. 1.

Among several programs offered, a unique one will be aired
Christmas at 10:30 a.m. on Indosiar, according to representative
Andreas Ambesa.

Surat-Surat Kepada Tuhan (Letters to God) will feature the
reading out of letters from children living in various
conditions. Some include a homeless child living in a railway
car, an orphan, a child who likes to play in parks, a dancer
learning to dance on stage, and a fisherman's child who likes to
watch the sun rise while sitting on the beach.

Midnight features worth the wait on Indosiar include two-hour
movies like the tragic Stella, starring Bette Midler, on Dec. 23.

Lorenzo's Oil will be aired Dec. 24. Starring Nick Nolte and
Susan Sarandon, this award-winning movie tells of a child whose
health deteriorates to a death-like existence.

Preceding the movie is a one-hour Christmas music special
featuring local artists Mus Mulyadi, Vonny Sumelang, Ermy Kulit,
Cynthia Maramis and Ricky Yohannes and a sermon by Eka
Dharmaputra and Father Mudji Sutrisno.

Mass at the Vatican will be aired live twice by SCTV on Dec.
25 -- the Midnight Mass from St. Peter's Basilica at 6 a.m. and
Urbi et Orbi at 5:55 p.m.

Special programs

Airing 23 special programs, SCTV will pack a wallop. Children
can wake up to special cartoon editions like Forgotten Toys, Good
King Wencelas, Cinderella Frozen in Time, Twelve Days Of
Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town at 8:30 a.m.

Local music lovers can enjoy a New Year's treat Dec. 31 at
7:30 p.m. -- Gebyar 1998.

The one-and-a-half hour show will feature singers Reza, Harvey
Malaiholo, Ronny Sianturi, Fariz RM and Denny Malik, and
telestars Dian Nitami, Cindy Claudia, Jeremy Thomas and Ari
Wibowo.

Enjoy easy-on-the-ear music every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. with
the JakJazz Adult show, every Friday with JakJazz Youngster and
Dec. 29's JakJazz Special.

A drama musical on Anteve is one that might attract a lot of
attention.

Singer Katon Bagaskara, quiz show host Sonny Tulung, talk show
host Rebecca Tumewu and actress Lydia Kandau star in the musical,
Bias Kasih (Ray of Love).

The story tells of two strangers coming from completely
different backgrounds. Having realized that they are not happy
with their lives, they exchange families and try leading their
designated lives instead.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra meets cartoon star Asterix on Christmas Day, in
which the queen of the Nile, challenged by Caesar's taunts, gets
Asterix to build a palace within three days.

On Dec. 31 starting at 10:20 p.m., Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan
face worse trouble in When a Man Loves a Woman -- the story of a
couple's ordeal as the wife is a woman torn between drinking and
running a household.

Then after midnight, Elizabeth Taylor and Eva Gabor star in
Last Time I Saw Paris, set in the midst of World War II.

TPI has prepared an exceptional program to welcome the month
of Ramadhan. Padang Bulan Ramadhan, aired every day except
Saturday, has Emha Ainun Najib as the host of the talk show. At 6
p.m., one can watch the noted columnist and poet discussing
Islamic thoughts on social issues and others with invited guests.

The guest list includes prominent poets A. Mustofa Bisri and
W.S. Rendra, rock singer Iwan Fals, entrepreneur Dewi Motik and
pop singers Anang and Krisdayanti.

Another sure hit with local audiences will be Operet Lebaran
(operetta for Idul Fitri). Prepared by singers Harry Roesli and
Titiek Puspa, the show will include artists Ayu Azhari, the
Lenong Bocah Group, Evie Tamala and dangdut star Ikke Nurjanah
performing from Jan. 8 to Jan. 14. (02)