‘Untamed’ Roams Emotional Territory
“Untamed Heart” at 9 stars Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei as a waitress who is worshiped from afar by a busboy (Christian Slater) at the Minneapolis diner where they work the late-night shift.
The 1993 theatrical release is an unabashed tear-jerker. Slater plays a sickly orphan with a bad heart.
The nuns at the orphanage told him about how his father was a great explorer and that a baboon king gave the boy his own heart to save his life. He has a scar to prove it.
What he needs is a heart transplant, but he won’t have it. Besides, he shows all the heart he needs when he saves Tomei’s character from would-be rapists.
Tomei’s swell performance helps lift the film, which is romantic if not a bit sappy. Be prepared for a weepy climax.
Highlights
“Melrose Place,” FOX at 8: Loni Anderson joins the series as the mom of a beauty-pageant contestant (Denise Richards) who’ll do anything to see that her daughter wins. Peter and Michael (Jack Wagner and Thomas Calabro) are judges.
Justine Priestley (Jason’s sister) also signs on as Sydney’s (Laura Leighton) old friend and single mom, Laurie.
“Live From Lincoln Center,” KSPS at 8: Pianist Alfred Brendel is the featured performer in an allBeethoven program that includes Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat.
“Second Noah,” ABC at 8: Lloyd Bridges gueststars as Jesse’s (Betsy Brantley) father, who resents Noah (Daniel Hugh Kelly) for not being able to produce children of his own. The old man’s attempts to bond with his adopted grandchildren lead to a near-disaster.
“Basketball,” CBS at 6: From East Rutherford, N.J., it’s the last waltz at the “Big Dance” as college basketball crowns its national champion. Jim Nantz and Billy Packer, tops in my book, staff the telecast.
“Ned and Stacey,” FOX at 9: In the season finale, the unlikely twosome are determined to end the sham marriage and arrange blind dates to get things going. But look for surprises, especially from Ned (Thomas Haden Church) when he tries to give Stacey (Debra Messing) the heave-ho.
“Partners,” ABC at 9:30: This show’s season ends as a nuptial cliff-hanger for Owen (Tate Donovan), who has been engaged all season, and Bob (Jon Cryer), who makes a hasty decision to end his bachelor days.
“Murder One,” ABC at 10: In a pivotal episode, Cross (Stanley Tucci) takes the stand as a defense witness exhibiting unexpected behavior. Also, Avedon (Jason Gedrick) insists on testifying on his own behalf.
Cable Calls
“Defending Your Life” (1991), LIF at 9: Albert Brooks wrote and directed this comedy that co-stars Meryl Steep. Brooks dies in a car accident and meets his maker, as well as the woman of his dreams.
Rip Torn is given the job of representing Brooks before a tribunal that will give him the thumbs up or thumbs down. Though Brooks is fun, this occasionally clever film never takes off.
“U.S. Olympic Trials,” ESPN2 at 6:30: From Indianapolis, competition begins to determine who will represent the United States in Atlanta. ESPN and ESPN2 will have 77 hours of Olympic trial coverage through June. Tonight’s program features the synchronized swimming trials.
“Mega-Dose,” MTV at 10:30: Soccer star Cobi Jones hosts the MTV health-and-fitness special. Included are what’s hot in health clubs; the risks of music-related hearing loss; a report on alternative health products ginseng, melatonin and echinacea; and a segment on health care for pets. “Mega Dose” also airs at 4:30.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Richard Gere, actress Sean Young and musical group Cowboy Junkies.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 12:35: Actresses Mary Tyler Moore and Anna Paquin and singer-musician Mark Knopfler.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Tom Arnold and actress Natalie Portman. Repeat.