The year that was in memorable TV

As the year draws to a close, American TV viewers reveal their top picks for the most memorable TV moments of 2006 in a poll conducted by TiVo Inc., the company that created the digital video recorder (DVR). These are the moments that got America talking, from the shocking to the hilarious and stopped viewers in their tracks, becoming the subject of water-cooler conversations, Web site and blog chatter, and, in some cases, pop culture phenomena in their own right.

TiVo commissioned a survey through the poll company Synovate to find out what moments Americans remember as the highlights of 2006.

Top TV Moments of 2006 Survey Results Rank:

1. Katie Couric’s last day on “Today”

2. Mel Gibson’s interview with Diane Sawyer after his DWI arrest

3. Oprah tells author James Frey he betrayed readers

4. Sara and Grissom get together on “CSI”

5. Faith Hill’s reaction to Carrie Underwood’s win at “CMA Awards”

6. Kirstie Alley’s bikini reveal on “Oprah”

7. “Will & Grace” series finale in which their kids start dating

8. Kate and Sawyer get together on “Lost”

9. Rosie O’Donnell’s debut on “The View”

10. Connie Chung attempting a sultry serenade of Maury Povich

Daily Press



More than a ‘Play’ thing

L.A. Theatre Works’ The Play’s the Thing will air “Another Time” by Ronald Harwood, starring Lars Carlson, Jeffrey Jones, Stacy Keach, Alice Krige and Miriam Margolyes, on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 p.m. to midnight on 89.3 KPCC. Alternating between 1950s Cape Town and contemporary London, this human and complex drama weighs the price that a gifted musician’s single-minded devotion to his art exacts upon his relationship with his family.

Next Saturday, Dec. 23, from 10 p.m. to midnight on 89.3 KPCC, The Play’s the Thing will air “Twentieth Century,” by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, in a new adaptation by Ken Ludwig, starring Jeff Perry, Nancy Bell and Harriet Sansom Harris. This classic screwball comedy set aboard a luxury train en route from Chicago to New York was a smash hit on Broadway in 2004. Successful and egomaniacal Broadway producer Oscar Jaffe has transformed a chorus girl into a leading lady who in turn has left him in the dust. Now down on his luck, Oscar pulls out all the stops to persuade the newly famous and temperamental star to return for one more show. The broadcast includes an interview with Ken Ludwig.

L.A. Theatre Works’ radio theater series, The Play’s the Thing, airs locally every Saturday night. To get a full schedule, go to the L.A. Theatre Works Web site at www.latw.org and follow the link through the “Radio Theatre Series” heading and then “Episode Guide” or go directly to www.scpr.org for KPCC.

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Shiner host an ‘Extravaganza’

This weekend, laughs abound at the “The Shiner Holiday Extravaganza.” The “Extravaganza” is an all-improvised show featuring “Dasariski” on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.

After performing to sold-out houses at The Phoenix, San Francisco and Austin Improv festivals, the four-person improv troupe of Jen Cain, Mark Gagliardi, Jennifer Marie Kelley and Hal Lublin, collectively known as “Shiner,” is back in LA for a special “Shiner Holiday Extravaganza” at the Westside Eclectic. “Shiner” welcomes special guests “Dasariski,” a sharp, wickedly funny trio featuring Chicago improv veterans Rich Talarico, Bob Dassie and Craig Cackowski.

Tickets are $8. Admission price also gets patrons an entry into a holiday raffle. One audience member will win a holiday ham and a six pack of Shiner Bock beer.

Reservations available by phone at (310) 451-0850.

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Celebration of music from Europe, Asia, Africa and Mexico

The Miles Memorial Playhouse and the Santa Monica Symphony Woodwind Quintet are proud to present the latest in their on-going collaboration; this time bringing classical music from around the world.

The only show is Thursday night, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and kids 14 and under. This is an opportunity to hear diverse classical music in an intimate atmosphere. Doors open at 7:30. Program runs about 75 minutes.

Call (310) 458-8634 to make a reservation or visit www.milesplayhouse.org for more information.

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Playwriting course debuts at SMC

Santa Monica College’s Continuing and Community Education is currently registering students for a new six-week playwriting course, “The Magic of the Theatre: Writing for the Stage,” which begins Jan. 2.

The class will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at SMC’s Bundy Campus, 3171 S. Bundy Dr.

Students will get the opportunity to explore the art of dramatic writing through exercises in creating ideas, characters, dialogue, action and conflict, and in finding the writer’s voice. They will also write a one-act play, or a portion of a full-length, and have the opportunity of having the works read by professional actors.

The cost of the class is $95. Students can register by calling (310) 434-3400 or by going to http://commed.smc.edu.

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