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Mike Reynolds
Viewers of Sunshine Network will soon have a chance to watch the deft touch of Robert Vincent Sims around fields in Florida.
No, Sims is not the newest member of MLS' Tampa Bay Mutiny or Miami Fusion. Rather, he is an expert and the host of TV and radio shows in Florida dedicated to the art of landscaping. On the regional sports network, Sims will star as the host of The Garden Rebel Show, which premiered May 4 at 4:30 p.m.
The program includes "How To" and "Tonics" segments illustrating the animated Sims' famous lawn and garden creations made with simple household items. Sunshine has ordered 20 original episodes, which will also repeat on Sunday mornings at 7 a.m.
"While not typical programming fare for regional sports network, we love the idea of this and believe it will become very popular," said Sunshine GM Jim Liberatore. "Florida is known for its unique growing conditions and The Garden Rebel will showcase many of the creative gardening ideas designed just for Florida homes."
There also plans to feature guest segments with area athletes or their spouses. "For instance, we may have (Orlando Magic executive) Julius Erving's wife Turqoise show you what's been done at their home," said a network spokeswoman.
The program is also striking a chord with advertisers. The spokeswoman reports that Ironite Fertilizer and Black Cow Composte have bought schedules against the show, while Sunshine sales executives are negotiating with major home improvement chains about taking a presenting sponsor position on the show.
PREMIUM PROCREATION. Further expanding its programming production slate for premium networks, Playboy Entertainment Group has docked a weekly erotic anthology series called Passion Cove with HBO/Cinemax that will debut in the first quarter of 2000.
Passion Cove chronicles the erotic scenarios that occur in a unique rental hideway positioned on the beautiful cliffs of Malibu, Calif. Each episode begins with Samantha (Caroline Ambrose), the sensuous realtor/ booking agent for Passion Cove, arranging rental getaways for a new set of occupants that ultimately bring erotic fantasies to the screen.
A Playboy spokesman said that HBO/Cinemax has ordered 26 episodes of the series, the second half of which are now in production.
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