Show of the week
Because "it might have been" are the saddest words of tongue or pen, the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald always brings a tear to the eye. If the author of The Great Gatsby hadn't hit the bottle, if his wife, Zelda, hadn't suffered her mental breakdowns, how many more classics might he have written? Too bad he died of a heart attack in 1940 at age 44, leaving The Last Tycoon—the Hollywood novel that some say might have been his best—tantalizingly incomplete.
Fitzgerald is such a fascinating figure that you're bound to get wrapped up in this TV movie, which writer-director Henry Bromell (Panic) based on a 1985 memoir by the author's former secretary Frances Kroll Ring. Jeremy Irons is ideally cast in the lead role—if you ignore the traces of his British accent. Dissipated but gallant, Irons's Fitzgerald wins our sympathy with his determination to fight through the alcoholic fog and do some enduring work in what turn out to be his final months. Aiding him in this effort is the faithful—and smitten—Frances (an appealing Neve Campbell), then in her early 20s. It's hard to believe that Frances dares to pout after Fitzgerald criticizes her own attempt at fiction writing or that she comes right out and says, "Scott, tell me about Zelda." Fitzgerald's imaginary talks with his institutionalized wife (Sissy Spacek, in a glorified cameo) add little to our understanding of either character. Still, this is a poignant portrait of an artist at twilight.
Bottom Line: Answer the call
History Channel (MON.-Tues., May 27-28,9 p.m. ET)
The title of this two-part documentary has a nice ring of nobility, but Squabbling Brothers would have been just as accurate. Based on the 2000 book by Joseph J. Ellis, the four-hour film brings out the human drama in America's early history by focusing on the power struggles of George Washington's political heirs, principally Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. If you think hardball is something new, watch and learn how viciously our revered forefathers played the game, often slinging their mud anonymously or through surrogates.
Though Ellis's credibility wasn't enhanced by last year's revelation that he had been lying about his own military record, he's authoritative in leading a corps of on-camera experts that includes Adams biographer David McCullough. Brian Dennehy (Washington) and James Woods (Adams) stand out among the actors reading the great men's words in voice-over. The only notable flaw in the documentary is an overuse of silent recreations in which bewigged unknowns unconvincingly impersonate the historical figures.
Bottom Line: Well-founded
New York City 9/11/01
HBO (Sun., May 26,9 p.m. ET)
Early in Memoriam you'll see a claim that the terrorist attack on New York City's World Trade Center was "the most documented event in history." It seems like an exaggeration—until you've experienced this film. Skillfully blending amateur video with news footage—and setting the images to an evocative score performed by the New York Philharmonic—the documentary captures the disaster from so many angles that the cumulative effect threatens to overwhelm the viewer's senses and emotions. (Be warned that some shots are disturbingly graphic.)
Drawing extensively on interviews with Rudolph Giuliani and his aides, the film stirs renewed admiration for the ex-mayor's unfaltering leadership in the crisis. But it may be lily-gilding to include his girlfriend, Judith Nathan, who recalls that Giuliani looked to Winston Churchill as a model.
Bottom Line: Fine memorial
NBC (weeknights, 11:35 p.m. ET)
Don't believe the hype, friends. Though NBC marked the 10th anniversary of Jay Leno's Tonight Show with a prime-time special on April 30, Leno actually succeeded Johnny Carson on May 25,1992. I decided to celebrate prematurely by watching a week's worth of Leno early this month, and what I saw was almost entirely unsurprising. Come to think of it, his very predictability—many would call it reliability—may explain why Leno is the late-night ratings leader. There's a sense of ritual here, starting with the pseudohearty handshakes for fans who dutifully rush the stage.
Naturally, Leno's monologues offered Robert Blake jokes in abundance. What else would you expect from the man who found his comedy mother lode in the murder case against O.J. Simpson? Likewise the host was all over the hot topic of pedophile priests, professing to find the scandal "too creepy" while making one tasteless crack after another. I give him credit, though, for dubbing the Boston prelate "Cardinal Bernard Above the Law." and I recognize that topical humor always will be Leno's forte—even when he oversells his material by repeating the punch lines. I was hoping he'd shorten the May 3 monologue and get to his sole guest, Paul McCartney. But a little way into the superficial interview (on the subject of touring: "Is it as much fun as it always is?"), I was dying for more stand-up.
Bottom Line: We know the routine
Sunday, May 26 CROSSROADS CMT (8 p.m. ET) Elton John joins Ryan Adams in this episode of a series devoted to rock-country matchups.
Monday, May 27 MTV'S SHORE THING MTV (8 a.m. ET) A daylong holiday special launches summer activities at the music network's Seaside, N.J., beach house.
Tuesday, May 28 TAKE 2: LIVING THE MOVIES USA (10 p.m. ET) Realism goes to extremes in this special as regular folks try to replicate stunts from action flicks.
Wednesday, May 29 MISS UNIVERSE 2002 CBS (9 p.m. ET) Daisy Fuentes and ex-footballer Phil Simms are co-hosts for the parade of lovelies in Puerto Rico.
Thursday, May 30 DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND Cinemax (8:30 p.m. ET) Amish teens experiment with modern pleasures in a documentary to tempt you.
Friday, May 31 CALL TO DUTY Lifetime (7 p.m. ET) An hour-long documentary gives a snappy salute to women in the military.
Saturday, June 1 QUEEN'S JUBILEE GALA PBS (8 p.m. ET) Great Performances covers a Buckingham Palace concert celebrating Elizabeth's half century on the throne.
Reba McEntire
So what's it like to win an Academy of Country Music Award? Not pretty, says Reba McEntire, who has nabbed 10. "You go up there, and you're so nervous, you're just like, 'Uh lelelelelah,'" says the singer-actress. "The emotions really take over."
Let's hope that McEntire, 47, who also stars on the WB sitcom Reba, won't be at a loss for words May 22 when she steps onstage in L.A. as host of the 37th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (CBS, 8 p.m., ET). "I have done it before [cohosting in 1986, '88, '93 and '94], so I'll do fine," says McEntire of her first solo gig. Although, she admits, "you have to be on your toes." Producer Dick Clark "will tell me, 'Okay, we're running behind; keep it short.' Or 'Stretch it out.'" She has also learned to accept the show's early prep time. "I used to say, 'I don't want to put my makeup on in the afternoon. I want to wait until the last minute so I will look fresh.' Well, that's a lot of baloney! You just put it on as quick as you can so you're ready when they call you."
McEntire, who got good notices in the 2001 Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun and has just released her third greatest hits album, will be accompanied by her manager-husband, Narvel Blackstock, 45, and their son Shelby, 12. Does Shelby have a say in the outfits she'll wear? "No, not at 12 years old!" says his mom, laughing. "Now that would be a fashion faux pas!"
- Contributors:
- Cynthia Wang.
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!
