46 — Friday, December 12, 1997 ~ North Shore News Od this NOCCK TELEVISION | Sandra McKenzie izer. In the brief months “With the introduc- You would think that all chat high-pneed sir time. | Surfing across the empty universe — Contributing Columnist BY no particularly odd coincidence, Baton . Broadcasting Television made its debut in the Vancouver market on the same day that we reconnected our cable after nearly six months of living television-free. - We recanted our heresy after realizing that we had missed out on televised newscasts of several of the great news stories of the year, if not the decade, from the Winnipeg flood to the funeral of the People’s Princess. . ‘ In fact, we were startled to learn, Princess Diana’s death and the subsequent funeral was not the journalistic :high point of the decade, but of the eatire century. -_ According to those whose job it is co tabulate such things, her passing was a bigger news event than the ‘Great Depression, D-Day, V-} Day, the Nuremberg tri- als, the Kennedy assassinations, the lunar landing, and Richard Nixon's impeachment hearings. ‘*Go figure. And all this time we thought she was just . -more Oprah-fodder, another over-groomed clothes horse ‘} with‘an eating disorder who managed her divorce better than’her marriage. | ; - “Until we saw the video of her funcral cortege .we had no idea ‘that she was actually the most “saintly woman in modern history. Which gocs to, prove that, given the chance, television has the power to right. ail wrongs. >. So anyway, here we are, once more as one swith television — the 20th century’s great equal- since Baton’s premiere, Canada has raken a few more steps towards the long-promised 400-channel universe. With the intro- duction of 16 new specialty cable offerings, we can now watch round-the-clock sports fishing, cartoons, and — Oh, fabulous day: — endless rotations of Star Trek and X-Files. My personal favorite of all of these options is the Home and Garden channel. Until its introduction, we had only a scant hour or so a week with Martha Stewart to underscore our inadequa- cies. Now we can all appreciate, for hours on end, the true depths of our ineptness in matters domestic and decorative. : Guess what? Out of 800-plus hours per week of view- ing options, there’s still nothing very much on. ava -©-= a and win! and X-Files.” tion of 16 new spe- cialty cable offerings, we can now watch round-the-clock sports fishing, car- toons, and, Oh, fab- ulous day! endless rotations of Star Trek Festival of Ligh In benefit of the North Vancouver Christmas Bureau A program of Family Services of the North Shore. would inspire some visionary innovation some- where, bur perhaps that’s the problem. Television is just too darned expensive to take any chances. And since the old programs and concepts seem to be endlessly recyclable in an infinitely expanding television universe, here’s an idea. Why not a spe- cialty channel that presents nothing but vintage news? Maye it could be tarted up with a few talking heads who could analyze the significance of stuff thar happened 10 of more years ago. It might even be relevant, providing some context for cur- rent conflicts. Economically, the idea is pure gold. No film crews to be Hown, at gseat risk and no small expense, into the world’s trouble spots. Why shell out for a Pamela Wallin, when residuals for an ord VV2!ter Cronkite broadcast, or a classic Edward R. Murrow interview can only cost peanuts? It’s just an idea, but judging by the current selection, television needs all the ideas it can get. — Sandra MeKeusie writes from Salt Spring Island . smckensie@saltspring.com ts Grouse Mountain, The Peak of Vancouver and the North Shore News invite you to light up the North Shore with festive lights and displays. Enter your home in the Seventh Annual Festival of Lights A $5 entry fee will be charged with the proceeds going tc the Christmas Bureau. Judging of the homes will be from December 18 to December 22. On December 29th, prizes will be.awarded to the top three homes and the iop 20 homes will be invited to Grouse Mountain for a day of activities and the Festival of Lights slide show. A light dessert - menu, hot chocolate and coffee will be served. Skating Party at Grouse Mountain ow FEDERICO Fellini parodies his own life (and & 1/2) in the 1987 fitm intervista showing at 12:10 a.m. Thursday morning. TV HIGHLIGHTS AT AY + MOVIES: MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (BRAVO, ch. 28) Bravo is screening wo versions of the same story: John Stahl’s 1935 version (with Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor) airs at 5 a.m. and Douglas Sirk’s 1954 version (with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman) follows at 6:45 a.m. Anyone who has been atrending the Fassbinder retrospective at the Sce more pane 41 To enter: Register by phone, fax or in person to: Guest Services, Grouse Mountain 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Van. B.C. V7R 4K9 Phone: 980-9311 Fax: 984-6360 Saturday, December 20th, 1997 Come enjoy the highest ourdoor skating surface on the west coast. Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and light desserts will be served. For the first 500 people, Grouse Mountain will accept a $10.00 donation (if your Christmas budget allows, a non- perishable food item and/or unwrapped gift would also be appreciated). All proceeds will go to the North Vancouver Christmas Bureau. a program of the Family Services of the North Share. If you plan on attending this event, please remember to register by phone or fax. Grouse Mountain The Peak of Vancouver Festival of Lights Amount: Skating Party (# of participants) Amount:_._ _. Total Amount: A