MTV enters the world of sitcoms with ‘Austin Stories’ The station looks to turn the typical sticom formula on its head with this new show By Juan B. Elizondo Jr. The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas — Picture Texas. Now plant some trees. Imagine some hills. Paint a skyline. And get rid of the cowboy hats and boots. Now you’re in Austin, the set and home of “Austin Stories,” which is MTV’s latest swipe at the pillars of television networks. “Stories,” which premieres Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. EDT, gives to the 30-minute sitcom the same jab “Remote Control” gave to game shows, the attitude that “Grind” showed ‘American Bandstand,” and the life that “Week in Rock” breathed into news shows. This ain’t the same old “Friends,” and MTV’s proud of it. “That’s the point: How can you take an old format and spin er V. co Meet Select Singles In Your Area! 1-90055&8185 at1342 $2.99/min., must be 18 vrs. Serv-U (619) 645-8434 UP-TO-DATE SOAP RESULTS DAILY HOROSCOPES CALL NOW!!! 1-900-378-5754 Ext. 9284 $2.99 per min. Must be 18yrs Serv-U (619) 645-8434 lorb Iccbnck (Tl)catrc to. presents Dracula Itil fitephen Dietz JfA, fclit J V \ tVH October 2 — I(otictn6erl Tix: 465-1506 Recommended for mature audiences it on its head?” says George Ver schoor, co-executive producer, and director of “Stories.” “The networks are so trapped in their formula that they think they have. They ... don’t know how to break out of it. That’s what we have done.” Verschoor, who directed the first four seasons of “The Real World,” is helping to lead MTV into its first foray into fully scripted, 30-minute situation comedies. The channel isn’t following TV tradition. Out are the studio audiences, set-ups and punch lines, the laugh track and the studio back lots. In are on-location shooting, lesser-known comics turned ac tor-writers and a sitcom shot on film, a truly different look for television. It combines the rough edges of old home movies with the professionalism of indepen dent films. Out also are the backdrops of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. MTV actually wanders around Austin to shoot “Austin ((‘There’s a feel to this show that we have all been there before. The charm in these guys is that it has this classic sense of all the people we know. We all have gone through this. >> George Verschoor Director Stories.” Along with the rest of the Lone Star State, Austin in recent years has drawn much attention from major moviemakers and big screen stars. The city offers a downtown skyline, state capitol, classic courthouse, major univer sity and nightlife to back up near ly any production. The city’s Sixth Street, along which countless bars and night clubs are squeezed, is well known across the region, and in the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world, local and na tionally known bands can be heard on any given night. The young, hip and eclectic side of the state’s capital shines behind the three main characters of “Stories.” “Austin is like the unique feel ing,” says Brad “Chip” Pope, who plays Chip, a job-juggler searching for direction. “It has all the assets of a bigger town but then it also has a small-town feel.” Laura House plays Laura, a re porter for the Austin Weekly, a play on the city’s real-life, alter native Austin Chronicle. She’s a career-oriented character, a trib ute of sorts to Austin’s yuppie fied north side, dominated by the computer industry. Howard, played by Howard Kremer, is a playboy with a prob lem with authority. He may be seen as the embodiment of Austin’s overall good-hearted, free-living, slacker style. Like Austin itself, everyone and everything on “Stories” isn’t television-beautiful. There are rough edges and a laissez-faire at titude contrasted against the state’s seat of government. The show also isn’t a series of set-ups and punchlines. There are few traditional “jokes,” a fact that pleases Pope. “I think television is designed for people to come home and un wind in front of,” he says. “I don't think that people necessari ly have to have like gigantic bel ly laughs when they come home. I think that the stories will work and the characters will work.” The attraction will come, Ver schoor says, because the charac ters of “Stories” will be well known to the audience. “There’s a feel to this show that we have all been there be fore,” says Verschoor. “The charm in these guys is that it has this classic sense of all the people we know. We all have gone through this.” “This is a domestic comedy and where it is taking place is very different than any place in the U.S.” Ms. House adds, “I hope peo ple will like all the differences and enjoy them.” Back to School for less! Your Jeans & T-Shirt Headquarters! Brand names like Gitano Lee Wrangler Union Bay Levi GAP Lands’ End BUM Nike LA Gear ADIDAS & more! VIS A/MasterCard Six convenient locations Open weekdays until 9 p.m. at Seneca & Coburg n Goodwill