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Saturday, May 17, 2025

Inside the Guide: May 4-10 1985 Features and Articles

We went through the heart of the issue--the listings--but what about the mind? Or is it the soul? The elbow? What portion of a TV Guide is the features/articles/reviews section?

I'll leave that up to you and report on what this issue offers. It's an odd mix of "serious" and frivolous, with the feature on the production of Lace II  a tongue-in-cheek look at the miniseries that is also the cover subject.

There is an article claiming popular TV shows are a good way to talk about values with teenagers. Some of the ideas therein are compelling, but it's funny to read this kind of discussion from a Ph.D. who uses examples from Charles in Charge and Gimme a Break.

The issue-closing review discusses Hour Magazine, calling it bland but OK for what it was.

A preview of the Kentucky Derby spans several pages.

Buried in the back with little fanfare is a piece by Jason Robards pointing out how television glamorizes drinking. Robards was a public alcoholic, and the perspective is interesting, but he seems to really have it in for Dynasty and TV in general in 1985.

The first feature is a provocative look at local TV news doing advocacy and involving itself in stories and doing things for the public good. I thought this was the best story in the mag, but it's telling that the cover touts Phoebe Cates and talking to your teens but has no mention of it. Too boring for the masses?


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