Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA) Copyright: 2000, The Bakersfield Californian. Contact: PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440 Website: http://www.bakersfield.com/ Author: The Associated Press WB BACKS ANTI-DRUG SCRIPT EFFORT PASADENA (AP) - The head of the most popular television network among teen-age girls says the government should be congratulated - not condemned - - for trying to insert anti-drug messages in the plots of TV comedies and dramas. The WB network twice sought the advice of President Clinton's anti-drug counselors on scripts for its prime-time shows. But Jamie Kellner, the WB's chief executive, said Monday the network received no financial benefit for pushing a message that discourages drug use. "I look at this as the government being very clever in trying to find a way to get a message out that we totally support," Kellner said. The WB consistently has one of network TV's youngest audiences, appealing particularly to teen-age girls with shows like "Dawson's Creek." The two programs where it sought government advice on scripts were "The Wayans Brothers" and "Smart Guy." Clinton's Office of National Drug Control Policy never asked to see WB scripts in advance; in the two applicable cases, the network volunteered them, Kellner said. ABC executives said over the weekend that they became uncomfortable with Clinton's advisers asking to see scripts of shows before they aired. The WB routinely consults with experts outside government for advice when producing shows, on such issues as teen pregnancy, he said. "We enjoy doing something that is pro-socially responsible, especially since we reach a younger audience," Kellner said. "I think people should applaud the government for being clever. Normally they pay $500 for a toilet seat." In addition to advice, Clinton's drug advisers offered broadcasters financial benefits for including anti-drug messages within the plots of entertainment programs. Under the arrangement, the government would let networks out of a commitment to air some anti-drug public service announcements, enabling them to sell the commercial time to other clients. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D