Ken Wahl

Actor Ken Wahl, former star of the television series "Wiseguy," was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of making terrorist threats after allegedly pulling a knife on a bartender at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles police said. The alleged confrontation took place when the bartender refused to serve Wahl, who appeared to be intoxicated, according to LAPD spokesman Mike Partain. "He became upset, pulled out a six-inch hunting knife and threatened the bartender with it," Partain said.

Actor Ken Wahl, who starred in the TV series "Wiseguy," was sentenced to a live-in alcohol rehabilitation program and ordered to pay damages of about $800 after pleading no contest Tuesday to criminal charges stemming from an altercation with a hotel bartender. Wahl, 40, was arrested Dec. 12 at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel after shouting obscenities when the bartender refused to serve him any more drinks, officials said.

Two of America's favorite TV ladies, "Roseanne" and "Murphy Brown," will enter the Retro zone this fall as local stations start airing repeats of the sitcoms. Several other still-popular prime-time series-- "The Wonder Years," "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Designing Women"--also will be seen in reruns. Fall Retro series also feature such chestnuts as "The Rockford Files," "The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Actor Ken Wahl, former star of the television series "Wiseguy," was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of making terrorist threats after allegedly pulling a knife on a bartender at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles police said. The alleged confrontation took place when the bartender refused to serve Wahl, who appeared to be intoxicated, according to LAPD spokesman Mike Partain. "He became upset, pulled out a six-inch hunting knife and threatened the bartender with it," Partain said.

There was enough confusion surrounding the future of Ken Wahl and "Wiseguy" Friday to warrant an investigation by undercover agent Vinnie Terranova. CBS pulled the hourlong drama from its prime-time schedule last Tuesday with the promise that it would be remodeled and returned to the air next winter at mid-season.

Never mind that "Wiseguy" has become the hot crime series in this, its second season. Ken Wahl--who stars as undercover agent Vinnie Terranova--is passionate about staying in the shadows. He's so bent on keeping his private life private ("You won't see any headlines about me in those supermarket tabloids") that, during an interview, he wouldn't even say if he's married or single.

I, and many women I know, are furious with Stephen J. Cannell for quarreling with and getting rid of Ken Wahl. Without him, "Wiseguy" is just another violent show. We all loved Vinnie and wanted there to be more of him and his love life, and less of the many gangsters. Cannell left Vinnie--half out of his mind after that horrible episode in that wet little Oregon town with the crazy mayor--delivering disgusting bloody garbage to the dump and stealing watches for money. What is all this nonsense--a grudge of some kind?

"Wiseguy" is the best show on television. The writing and acting is superb and is worthy of an A+ grade. I will be one of the show's biggest fans until the very end. Thank you, Ken Wahl and Stephen J. Cannell, for one of the best television shows to come along in some time. Peter J. De Mark, Garden Grove

I love watching Ken Wahl on "Wiseguy." He has a brawny, intelligent look, and he can convey both street smarts and handsome sophistication. The man has versatility. Please keep "Wiseguy" around. It is the only program I watch on Wednesday nights. Judy Masaki, Anaheim Hills

"Wiseguy" is a wonderful, entertaining show. Ken Wahl and Jonathan Banks are totally convincing, as was guest Ray Sharkey. It is intelligently written, actually using correct grammar while making good arguments for right and wrong. Each episode has been terrific, but Sonny's (Sharkey) farewell on Nov. 12 was exceptional. We look forward to a very long run. Cathy Matt, Newport Beach

Two of America's favorite TV ladies, "Roseanne" and "Murphy Brown," will enter the Retro zone this fall as local stations start airing repeats of the sitcoms. Several other still-popular prime-time series-- "The Wonder Years," "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Designing Women"--also will be seen in reruns. Fall Retro series also feature such chestnuts as "The Rockford Files," "The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

I watched what I thought was the season premiere of "Wiseguy." What I saw was a slow-moving, grossly mutated version of "Miami Vice." From the deaths of Sonny and Father Pete to the McPike/moose face-off in the Volchek family crypt, the series had never been dull. Until now. We don't need another "Miami Vice." What we need is Ken Wahl as Vincenzo Michael Terranova. Anthony Alborini, Valencia

I, and many women I know, are furious with Stephen J. Cannell for quarreling with and getting rid of Ken Wahl. Without him, "Wiseguy" is just another violent show. We all loved Vinnie and wanted there to be more of him and his love life, and less of the many gangsters. Cannell left Vinnie--half out of his mind after that horrible episode in that wet little Oregon town with the crazy mayor--delivering disgusting bloody garbage to the dump and stealing watches for money. What is all this nonsense--a grudge of some kind?

It's not the same old "Wiseguy" that will be kicking off its fourth season Saturday night. The CBS series will boast a new star, Steven Bauer, a new female cast member, a new co-executive producer and a new writing staff. "It is sort of like bringing it back from the dead," said Stephen J. Cannell, the co-creator and executive producer who has returned to "Wiseguy."

If Ken Wahl's version is true (" 'Wiseguy' Plot Thickens, but Who's the Fall Guy Here?," by Irv Letofsky, June 2), it is unfortunate that Stephen Cannell believes that "Wiseguy" can continue without Wahl. The actor brought incredible depth to the character of Vinnie Terranova that undoubtedly cannot be matched. His portrayal is what made the show intriguing. It is always sad when quality programs such as "Wiseguy" go down because of behind-the-scenes battles. While "Wiseguy" is not dead yet, its demise is only a matter of time.

There was enough confusion surrounding the future of Ken Wahl and "Wiseguy" Friday to warrant an investigation by undercover agent Vinnie Terranova. CBS pulled the hourlong drama from its prime-time schedule last Tuesday with the promise that it would be remodeled and returned to the air next winter at mid-season.

I watched what I thought was the season premiere of "Wiseguy." What I saw was a slow-moving, grossly mutated version of "Miami Vice." From the deaths of Sonny and Father Pete to the McPike/moose face-off in the Volchek family crypt, the series had never been dull. Until now. We don't need another "Miami Vice." What we need is Ken Wahl as Vincenzo Michael Terranova. Anthony Alborini, Valencia

I can see by the letters published in TV Times and elsewhere that everyone who watched "Wiseguy" is mourning the end of Sonny as portrayed by Ray Sharkey. Since electric shock closely simulates death and we never saw his funeral, perhaps he is alive and the police want it kept a secret so they can use him as an undercover informer. C'mon, producers, forget realism. When did you last see a pair with such rapport as Sonny and Vinnie (Ken Wahl)? As a last resort, you could always have Sonny walk out of the shower (with apologies to "Dallas")

When "Wiseguy" premiered, it was compelling and absorbing. The first two story lines were by far the best. Ken Wahl was an attractive, unknown quantity who exuded mystery and sensuality. Not any more! The gratuitous and rather explicit love scenes with his amour, which incidentally had little to do with moving the story line ahead, were extremely distasteful, and the mystique of Wahl was dispelled by the unattractive grunting and thrashing about, which left this viewer ready to tune out. Was it really necessary to fall in line with so many of the odious concepts that are accepted today as entertainment?

CBS' "Wiseguy" star Ken Wahl generally finds it wiser not to talk to the press because "the great majority of the things the press has written have been highly inaccurate about myself," or so he declares in a rare interview tonight on "Entertainment Tonight" (7 p.m. on KNBC-TV Channel 4). "So be it," Wahl continues. "There's nothing you can do to prevent that, short of being in court all the time." So why did he agree to tonight's interview?