Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994 TAG: 9403120220
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACKIE HYMAN Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
No longer the gruff-but-lovable news editor he portrayed in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Lou Grant," the Emmy-winning actor plays a gruff-but-lovable former racing car driver in the Wednesday night sitcom.
"Like every actor, I like to work," he says over breakfast. "In this day and age, unless you're a movie star, the work is not steady, and a series always provides the funds and the exposure that help maintain your image."
Action in the new series, which premiered this week, centers on the Thunder Alley garage, its eccentric employees and clients, and a divorced daughter, played by Diane Venora, who moves in with Asner's character and brings her children.
"I think the magic of the series will be in the interplay between the characters," he said. "I think it is a definite example of the humor and the conflict that occurs within the generations of our society."
Asner said he's glad the storm has abated over his opposition to U.S. policy in El Salvador, but his skepticism of public officials hasn't softened.
"People forget, and then I was proved right (in opposing El Salvador's former right-wing government), which helped a lot," he said, adding, "And the culprits still go free."
"It seems that's the rule of the game these days. Every scandal is engineered so the culprits go free - Iran-Contra, Tailhook."
During the early 1980s, El Salvador wasn't the only hot potato on Asner's plate.
In his four years as president of the Screen Actors Guild - from 1981 to 1985 - there was infighting over Asner's support of a merger with two other performers' unions, and criticism over liberal positions taken by the guild.
He believes the uproar contributed to the cancellation of "Lou Grant" in 1981.
"It was an unbelievable learning experience for me," he said. "I feel guilt for the people who were thrown out of work by the cancellation of the show. That's how society gets you."
"Then, your family becomes victimized," he said, explaining that his home once was picketed even though he was separated from his wife and no longer living there. "It's amazing that anybody who has a dependent takes a stand because of the pressure society brings on you."
Asner, 64, won three Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1970s. In what was then an unusual move, he transplanted the character into the hour-long drama for which he won two more Emmys, in 1978 and 1980.
He also took home an Emmy for the miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" and another for "Roots."
Among his credits during the past decade, Asner appeared in the short-lived NBC series "Bronx Zoo" and starred on Broadway in "Born Yesterday."
Still, pickings have been slim for an actor of Asner's standing. He was trying to develop his own series when "Thunder Alley" was offered to him, and he jumped at the chance.
As for how television has changed since his earlier successes, Asner admits he's no expert because he rarely has time to watch.
"I have no idea what's hot and what's not, out there," he said. "I generally turn on the TV about 10 and guess who I'm watching? `Nick at Nite' and `Mary Tyler Moore.' "
"I loved looking at it when I first did it, and I still do," Asner said. "I can only hope I feel the same way about this show. So far the indications are very good."
As for other things he'd like to do, he said, "I wish I could finally haul my guts and do a bit of skydiving. I probably won't, though.
"If there were time, I'd love to learn how to cross-country ski. That's about all I'm capable of, falling out of a plane or slogging along on skis."
by CNB