Show of the week
Given executive producer Robert Halmi Sr.'s recent run of epics (Merlin, Noah's Ark, The 10th Kingdom), it's not unreasonable to fear that he might turn Don Quixote into a special-effects show. Well, good news: This adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes's 17th-century masterpiece, shot beautifully in Spain and starring John Lithgow as the self-appointed knight-errant, is humorous, touching and largely innocent of excess.
Though a few of Don Quixote's phantasms do come to life onscreen (yes, windmills turn into giants), director Peter Yates and writer John Mortimer keep the focus on the mind and heart of the aging would-be hero. Lithgow brings out the poignancy in his pomposity, the wisdom in his folly. Bob Hoskins is earthy and funny as Don Quixote's squat squire, Sancho Panza, making us like him more every time he cheerfully acknowledges his ignorance. Vanessa L. Williams is radiant as Dulcinea, the fair lady of the don's dreams, and Isabella Rossellini has the right tone as a duchess who mocks him gently but cruelly. You won't miss the Man of La Mancha music.
Bottom Line: Quality quest
ABC (Sun., April 9, 7 p.m. ET)
Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe in cross-promotion? Disney-owned ABC sure does. In 1994, Disney put out a remake of 195l's Angels in the Outfield, turning the Pittsburgh Pirates of the original into the Angels of California. The Angels (currently property of Disney), back in this TV movie, are still in need of divine help if they hope to win the American League pennant. As the Anaheim nine struggle to escape the doldrums, it seems every Angels game is telecast by Disney's ESPN.
As the comeback pitcher of the year, Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) is funny when the character is sullen and self-centered but totally unconvincing when he makes nice to his 13-year-old daughter (Brittney Irvin). The talented David Alan Grier hasn't enough to do in the part of a deceased player trying to earn his angel wings by bringing the Angels some wins. The comedy's few hits are canceled out by several errors, including the sight of Babe Ruth batting right-handed in heaven.
Bottom Line: Not the game of the week
ABC (Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m. ET)
The radio station in this new sitcom desperately needs a format change: more music, less talk. Kyra Sedgwick stars as a morning host who, according to ABC publicity, is "funny," "irreverent" and "controversial." A female Howard Stern is clearly the idea. She's surrounded by three male sidekicks who are supposed to be master wisecrackers, and she loves to zing the Laura Schlessinger-type psychologist (Beverly D' Angelo) who follows her on the air. But the show-within-a-show simply stinks. Given nothing clever to say, Sedgwick overcompensates with an extra-punchy delivery. And Talk to Me only grows more desperate when it ventures out of the studio. In the second episode (April 18), Sedgwick accepts a dare from the guys and flirts with a gorgeous woman (guest star Paulina Porizkova) at a party. Later, the two lock lips in a scene that fairly shouts, "Hey, it worked for Ally McBeal! Please watch us!"
Bottom Line: Just static
The WB (Sundays, 8 p.m. ET)
West Wing Lite. MTV D.C. It's tempting to label and dismiss Law & Order creator Dick Wolf's new drama series about five recent college graduates sharing a house and striving for success in Washington. The April 2 pilot opens with this generational boast from one of the up-and-comers: "We're the only ones with enough energy to write the laws, run the committees, party till 3 and then do it all again the next day." As if a middle-aged congressman can't legislate with a hangover.
But I'm not ready to vote D.C. down, primarily because Gabriel Olds gives an intelligent performance as Mason, a Capitol Hill aide trying to balance idealism and ambition. The character is a tad priggish, yet Olds makes him sincere enough to win sympathy. Daniel Sunjata also shows promise as Supreme Court clerk Lewis, though it's not until week three that he gets major screen time. On the minus side, D.C. shows little inclination to address real political issues. Resident womanizer Pete (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) calls himself a lobbyist but says next to nothing about what interests he represents. Something tells me this show will be more concerned with whether Pete stirs the passions of Mason's sister (Jacinda Barrett) or Lewis's journalist girlfriend (Kristanna Loken).
Bottom Line: Subject to debate
>Sunday, April 9 FAIL SAFE CBS (9 p.m. ET) Could be tense. George Clooney heads the cast in a live remake of the 1964 nuke-nightmare drama.
Monday, April 10 SEX & MRS. X Lifetime (9 p.m. ET) Paris matchmaker Jacqueline Bisset teaches Linda Hamilton how to captivate men in this TV movie.
Tuesday, April 11 VH1 DIVAS 2000 VH1 (9 p.m. ET) Mariah Carey, Faith Hill and Donna Summer raise their voices in tribute to ultimate diva Diana Ross.
Wednesday, April 12 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE SALUTE TO HARRISON FORD CBS (8 p.m. ET) Steven Spielberg and Sharon Stone join in honoring the durable star.
Thursday, April 13 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT PBS (9 p.m. ET) Bill Clinton discusses his impeachment in the finale of a five-night series on all 41 chief executives.
Friday, April 14 WHITE SUPREMACY: A SECRET HISTORY Discovery Channel (8 p.m. ET) A three-hour documentary shines light on the Ku Klux Klan and its ilk.
Saturday, April 15 THE PRINCE OF EGYPT HBO (8 p.m. ET) It's Moses (voice by Val Kilmer) with music in this 1998 animated feature.
>Maria Bartiromo
CNBC's financial reporter Maria Bartiromo says there's one job that could entice her to ditch the Wall Street beat: teaming with TV's other big moneyman, Regis Philbin. "It would take a phenomenal position for me to consider leaving," says Bartiromo, 32, of the soon-to-be vacant Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee cohost gig, "and that's how I feel about the Kathie Lee spot."
Until then, Bartiromo, dubbed the Money Honey for her striking looks, is keeping plenty busy. She already spends five hours a day on CNBC, reporting for Squawk Box while anchoring Street Signs and Market Wrap, and on March 31 she launches Market Week with Maria Bartiromo, a live show airing Friday nights that will report on events likely to affect the stock market in the week to come. Her hectic schedule often keeps her from her husband of nine months, investment-media magnate Jonathan Steinberg, 35, with whom she shares a Manhattan apartment. "It's hard," admits Bartiromo, "but right now my work is my priority. He understands that, and I'm lucky." Besides, she adds, he sees her anytime he wants: "He jokes to people, 'I watch her on TV; it's okay!' "
- Contributors:
- Jason Lynch.
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!
