Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403050204
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By N.F. Mendoza Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"The `dark things' are the things that need to be yelled out," says Missy Crider, 19, who plays Jenny, a teen-ager who finds out that her boyfriend (Tom Everett Scott) has given her a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Jenny must grapple with telling her mother (Alley Mills), as well as confronting her boyfriend.
"People are just scared and don't realize that there are diseases other than AIDS that are contractible, but can be treated," Crider says.
Explains producer-writer Joe Maurer: "The staggering statistics on STDs have fallen into the back burner with the great swell of AIDS information. In fact, adolescents have a higher rate of STDs than any other age group."
But Maurer, whose other afterschool specials on teen issues include "Enemy Among Us," about AIDS, points out that scare tactics don't work in teen-oriented shows. "We figured if we did it right, it would be a better hook for young people with a story about a romance, how a relationship is affected. It's another complicated factor of falling in love in the '90s."
"Love in the Dark Ages" needed to be direct and honest in the issues of sexual responsibility, Maurer says. Through a peer workshop, the producers learned that for teens, sexual consequences are "way down the list after grades and avoiding gang members."
He adds that despite the lack of concern shown sometimes by teens, sexual issues must be dealt with head on.
"Over a third of 15-year-olds have had sex, and by 19, over three-quarters have engaged in sexual intercourse," he says. "It's happening and we have to address it realistically. Perhaps teens should be presented with emotional and philosophical reasons as to why they should wait."
Giving teens general information is not enough, he says. "I think we cheat them by giving them just information on how to use a condom. What needs to be done is to help young people understand the role of sexuality in their lives, what a complicated task it is and how many different areas it encompasses."
Through the workshops, Maurer found that "having sex these days is like chewing gum to them. There is no weight to it, only after the fact, when they're confronted by disease or pregnancy."
Actress Crider points out that this reflects on what happens with Jenny's first love. "It's hard to even think of anything bad about someone because of being really woozy in love. The show tells teens how to be aware and safe and that they should protect themselves. I mean, the way the show's written, the boyfriend only had one other sexual relationship before Jenny. You have to realize you can never be too safe."
"Love in the Dark Ages" airs Tuesday on CBS. For ages 12 and up.
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This week marks the fifth anniversary of "Avonlea" (Monday, Disney), winner of two Emmys for outstanding children's programming. In the season premiere, Hetty King has a near-death experience, Janet and Alec contend with the serious illness of their child and the family acquires a cannery. Meanwhile, Felix rejects becoming a farmer and Felicity must choose between a career in medicine and a marriage proposal. The show is based on the short stories of Lucy Maud Montgomery. For ages 6 and up.
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The new 13-part "The Busy World of Richard Scarry" (Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, Showtime) presents a whimsical adaptation of the works of children's author-illustrator Scarry. The weekly half-hours will introduce kids to characters such as Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, Hilda Hippo, Mr. Frumble and Grouchy Mr. Gronkle. For ages 2-6.
End adv sun mar 6
AP-NY-02-28-94 1307EST
by CNB