Shaver takes glitter off TV news anchors FIN Edition

• Published in: Toronto star
• Main Author: Rick Du Brow SPECIAL TO THE STAR (Los Angeles Times)
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto, Ont Torstar Syndication Services, a Division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited 13.11.1990
• ISSN: 0319-0781

HOLLYWOOD - In CBS' new drama series WIOU, Helen Shaver plays a veteran journalist who works for a failing local TV news operation that is trying, as the network says, "to make a ratings comeback." The Toronto actress remembers attending a dinner for CBS affiliate stations at which, she says, "They were worried, a few of them," about the image that WIOU might project to the public about their profitable local news programs and personalities. WIOU is CBS' lead-in for the latenight news. "One guy at my table said "Do you think it's wise to show the wrinkles so early - in the pilot - to show that these people are not all noble, with altruistic ideals?'," Shaver recalls. "And I said to them "You can't do Ben Casey or Marcus Welby today. Nobody would believe it'." In the pilot, a lecherous male news star put his hand on Shaver's thigh as they co-anchored a broadcast, and she embarrassed him on the air by broadcasting his action. Such on-the- air disclosure is not likely to happen too often, if at all, in real life, but Shaver's education in being a female reporter-anchor in TV includes some input on sexual harassment.