Date: 7/20/99
Source: Variety

Lemmon, Azaria Enroll For 'Tuesdays With Morrie'

Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria are starring in the ABC TV movie ``Tuesdays With Morrie,'' based on Mitch Albom's best-seller about a sportswriter's weekly visits to his ailing sociology professor.

Oprah Winfrey, who picked up the ``Morrie'' rights two years ago while it was still in manuscript form, is serving as an executive producer. Mick Jackson (''The Bodyguard'') will direct. The movie is to air during the November sweeps.

Lemmon plays teacher Morrie Schwartz, and Azaria his former student. Wendy Moniz will play Azaria's frustrated girlfriend.

The story focuses on the relationship that develops, during weekly visits, between an unfulfilled journalist and his former teacher who is now crippled by a terminal illness. Shooting began last week on locations in and around Los Angeles.

Two-time Oscar winner Lemmon has recently appeared in Showtime's ``Inherit the Wind'' and on the big screen in ``The Odd Couple II'' and ``Out to Sea.''

Azaria (Fox's ``The Simpsons'') also makes steady film appearances, including ``Godzilla,'' Woody Allen's ``Celebrity'' and on Universal's ``Mystery Men,'' which opens July 30.

Moniz has recently been cast opposite Marg Helgenberger, Jonathan Schaech and Bonnie Bedelia in the CBS pilot ''Partners'' from director Carl Franklin (''One True Thing'').