MTV (Wed., Dec. 15, 9 p.m. ET)
B+
The made-for-MTV group returns to the mother ship for an exotic outing. Backed by a female chamber string sextet, the onetime poster boys resift their repertoire, from "Hungry Like the Wolf' to "Ordinary World."
These precious lads may surprise you. In fact, their Unplugged showing outshines Nirvana's the following night at the same time. Cobain and Co. turn in a disciplined but dispirited set, the highlight of which is a cover of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World." As for Duran 2:
CBS (Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET)
B
You've got to like a show like this spunky new serial that hits the ground sprinting. As we are introduced to the two main characters, sisters played by Connie Sellecca (Hotel) and Megan Porter Follows (Anne of Avonlea), each is threatening to kill a different man. Okay, they're probably only blowing off steam, but these are clearly not women to be trifled with. And before the pilot was over, there was a murder with no end of likely suspects. Other helpful additives include corruption, cuckoldry and a hunky ex-con (played by Matt Salinger, son of author J.D. Salinger).
Second Chances isn't as saucy or subversive as Picket Fences, and the show's scope is a little narrow. But it is impertinent and eventful. And it has an appealing ensemble which includes Ronny Cox, Ray Wise, Michelle Phillips, Jennifer Lopez and Justin Lazard.
ABC (Sun., Dec. 19, 9 p.m. ET)
B-
A wife and mother (Stephanie Faracy) gets involved with the wrong type of guy (Henry Winkler) while separated from her husband John Ritter). As Winkler's behavior becomes more and more disturbing, Ritter steps in to protect the kids.
The tension gets hokey as the plot sickens, but for much of its Length this is a deftly handled domestic thriller. What makes it work is that Ritter and Winkler are so good playing their respective sides of the solid citizen/psycho confrontation.
The scariest part comes right at the beginning when Winkler sings a few bars of the old Motown song, "Baby I Need Your Loving" Carry a tune? Not even if he had a forklift. Compared with Winkler, Candice Bergen sounds like Aretha Franklin.
CBS (Sun.., Dec. 19, 9 p.m. ET)
A-
Tyne Daly and Gerald McRaney star in this movie based on actual events in 1951. Parents of five, they're migrant farmers who want to put down roots in a Florida town. Instead, the couple is tossed in prison on trumped-up charges.
Upon release, Daly begins a tireless battle to reclaim her brood. Because the three youngest have been declared wards of the state, Daly, an illiterate, becomes by sheer determination a self-tutored lawyer to fight a system stacked against her.
Yes, it's a mawkish melodrama, but it packs a mule kick. Credit Daly with a savvy and moving performance as a woman of simple valor.
>AULD LANG SYNE At the end of the month, TV offers more inducements than ever to usher in the New Year while sitting in the lambent glow of the set. Not old enough to make it to midnight? There's Sesame Street Stays Up Late! A Monster New Year's Eve Party on PBS (check local listings). As always, there's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve '94 (ABC, 11:30 p.m. ET). And oooooh! Merv Griffin has a syndicated special (check local listings) live from his casino in Atlantic City. Performers include Ray Charles and Tony Bennett. Making the most noise is MTV. Live and Loud (10 p.m. ET) puts Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Cypress Hill and the Breeders onstage in Seattle. At 11:30 p.m., the channel will switch to Madison Square Garden for Janet Jackson live in concert. Jam!
>CASTING CALL Out in Los Angeles, they've been anxiously awaiting the verdict in the trial of the Menendez Brothers, who shotgunned their wealthy parents in 1989. Every other person in town has written a speculative script on the crime, and the furious race into production has already begun. They've only been waiting for the jury to supply the final chapter. In the spirit of Christmas, and with little or no hope of remuneration, I offer the following casting suggestions to whichever network has the inside track on this story: As Lyle, the jug-eared older brother, Gary Cole {Midnight Caller). And as Erik, the sensitive younger sibling, Paul Reiser (Mad About You).
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
