Major Dad

A staunch oak tree with Spanish moss hanging to the ground is the logo for Spanish Trail Productions, the company behind the CBS series "Major Dad" and several TV projects in development. A careful observer might notice that carved in the trunk of the oak is the small image of a delta. "That's a tribute to my wife," said Spanish Trail President Gerald McRaney, the spit-and-polished Marine officer in "Major Dad." McRaney is married to "Designing Women" co-star Delta Burke.

Starring in a popular TV series is a highlight of any actor's career -- but it can also be a trap. Once a series is over, it's hard for many stars to get off what one veteran called "the island of lost actors." For Gerald McRaney, getting off that island was doubly hard since he was identified with two hit series, "Simon & Simon" (1981-89) and "Major Dad" (1989-93). But McRaney has made the great escape in fine fashion, and today the 62-year-old actor finds himself much in demand for movie, stage and TV roles with some of the top talents in Hollywood, including J.J. Abrams ("Lost")

What actress Shanna Reed's character, Polly Cooper, will say to the audience Monday evening following the opening credits for "Major Dad" on CBS is anybody's guess, including executive producer Rick Hawkins. The war in the Persian Gulf has changed everything for the weekly sitcom about a U.S. Marine officer and his family. With six episodes to go this season, Hawkins and his staff have tossed out the scripts they were working on and are starting from scratch.

One of the ironies of "Fame in the 20th Century," the thin but enjoyable BBC documentary series airing this week on PBS, is that the commodity it omits is exactly what host-writer Clive James has been supplying while hitting the TV interview circuit to promote these eight hours about the famous. That commodity is interpretation--not just a listing of celebrities but some thoughts on why we're attracted to famous people simply because they're famous.

"Major Dad" is still feeling the effects of the Persian Gulf War, 12 days after President Bush ordered a cease-fire. The CBS situation comedy about a Marine Corps major airs its first original postwar episode at 8:30 tonight. The series, which had to toss out the season's final six scripts when the war started in order to work in references to the conflict, is now having to make changes because of the war's end. One scene each from tonight's and next Monday's episodes had to be re-shot.

CBS on Thursday announced an aggressive prime-time fall schedule in which it is switching two of its top hits, "Designing Women" and "Major Dad," from Monday to Friday in an attempt to rebuild its weakest night. The No.

One of the ironies of "Fame in the 20th Century," the thin but enjoyable BBC documentary series airing this week on PBS, is that the commodity it omits is exactly what host-writer Clive James has been supplying while hitting the TV interview circuit to promote these eight hours about the famous. That commodity is interpretation--not just a listing of celebrities but some thoughts on why we're attracted to famous people simply because they're famous.

Every Monday night at 8:30, Ginny Barnett tunes her television to "Major Dad" in order to catch her favorite stars in action. On Saturday, Barnett and more than 3,500 family members of Marines deployed overseas got to see their TV heroes in person during a belated Valentine's Day bash deemed "Operation Sweetheart." In a warehouse-sized hangar turned party room, fans buzzed with excitement over being so near their favorite celebrities.

To hear screenwriter Bob Kaufman tell it, he and MCA-Universal President Sid Sheinberg used to sit around in an office at the company's Universal City headquarters smoking Havana cigars and philosophizing about movies. "Comedy is the way life should be, drama is the way life is and tragedy is the way life shouldn't be," says Kaufman, recalling those long afternoon discussions. "We'd talk on and on." Today, in that same office, Sheinberg and Kaufman are meeting again.

Starring in a popular TV series is a highlight of any actor's career -- but it can also be a trap. Once a series is over, it's hard for many stars to get off what one veteran called "the island of lost actors." For Gerald McRaney, getting off that island was doubly hard since he was identified with two hit series, "Simon & Simon" (1981-89) and "Major Dad" (1989-93). But McRaney has made the great escape in fine fashion, and today the 62-year-old actor finds himself much in demand for movie, stage and TV roles with some of the top talents in Hollywood, including J.J. Abrams and Robert Duvall.

The Emmy show was the most discourteous display of garbage from the so-called entertainment industry that has ever been thrust upon the viewing public. This was not the time nor place for partisan politics. Nor was it the stage for banishing "Major Dad"--a show that they obviously did not deem politically correct. The cultural elite have developed an oversized opinion of their power and influence. They feel that they are adored. I can assure them that they are not. The cultural elite have now become the cultural trash and should be afforded respect accordingly.

Called to Serve: CBS News has enlisted retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf to host a dual documentary on Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin that will air next season. The network also is working up a documentary on Malcolm X that Dan Rather will host. . . . "Major Dad" star Gerald McRaney is in Washington today to emcee the Take Pride in America Awards, honoring efforts on behalf of the environment. The awards are sponsored by the U.S.

CBS on Thursday announced an aggressive prime-time fall schedule in which it is switching two of its top hits, "Designing Women" and "Major Dad," from Monday to Friday in an attempt to rebuild its weakest night. The No.

"Major Dad" star Gerald McRaney wants his former maid to return $11,000 taken from his account to pay her son's tutor, weight-loss clinics and furnishings for her home. Paulette Ava Broughton, 45, pleaded no contest on Dec. 3 to grand theft by embezzlement, and was ordered to perform at least 200 hours of community service and to reimburse McRaney and his wife, actress Delta Burke.

I was disappointed in the "Commentary" by Tom Shales (TV Times, Oct. 13). His critique of good programming doesn't agree with mine. He likes "Evening Shade," "Murphy Brown" and "Designing Women," but calls "Major Dad" "dull and dolorous." "Major Dad" is the only family show on television. No embarrassing dialogue, just funny programming. Jean Verrill, Laguna Beach

"Major Dad" is still feeling the effects of the Persian Gulf War, 12 days after President Bush ordered a cease-fire. The CBS situation comedy about a Marine Corps major airs its first original postwar episode at 8:30 tonight. The series, which had to toss out the season's final six scripts when the war started in order to work in references to the conflict, is now having to make changes because of the war's end. One scene each from tonight's and next Monday's episodes had to be re-shot.

I was disappointed in the "Commentary" by Tom Shales (TV Times, Oct. 13). His critique of good programming doesn't agree with mine. He likes "Evening Shade," "Murphy Brown" and "Designing Women," but calls "Major Dad" "dull and dolorous." "Major Dad" is the only family show on television. No embarrassing dialogue, just funny programming. Jean Verrill, Laguna Beach