by G. Jack Urso
In this item
from the New York Times Nov, 9, 1979,
by John J. O’Connor, the influential TV critic, Hot Hero Sandwich’s first episode gets a preview. Donna Pescow gets
a plus, but Erik Estrada failed to impress, though perhaps the then-46 year-old
O’Connor may not have been Estrada’s target demographic.
Overall, it’s a
good review. In addition with the other articles from 1979-1980, it gives us a more
complete picture of how the series was viewed at the time.
The entire
article is not transcribed, except for the part concerning Hot Hero Sandwich is provided below.
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| New York Times article, Nov. 9, 1979. |
Tomorrow at noon, NBC unveils a lively new weekly series for young people. The title is “Hot Hero Sandwich.” The producers explain that “Hero” interviews with assorted celebrities are sandwiched between segments of comedy and music.
A young
repertory company clowns around an after0school hangout call The Hot Hero Café,
which is run by a high school dropout [Paul
O’Keefe as “Ted”]. Their skits, sometimes touching on serious topics as
divorce, are alternated with short films, pieces of animation and even professional
music performances. The Sister Sledge group shows up on the premiere to sing “He’s
the Greatest Dancer.”
The initial “Heroes”
are Bruce Jenner, Olivia Newton-John and, from television, Erik Estrada (“CHiPS”)
and Donna Pescow (Angie”). They are interviewed by a clinical psychologist [Dr.
Tom Cottle] about their own adolescent experiences. The results are mixed,
from Miss Pescow’s candor to Mr. Estrada’s toothy macho routines. But, created
by Bruce and Carole Hart, the series promises to be an imaginative alternative
to the standard Saturday diet of cartoons.
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