‘Dateline’ Series Focuses On Cancer
Have we been duped into being scared to death of cancer?
“Dateline NBC” (NBC at 10) begins a three-night series on cancer with a report that will surprise most viewers.
“The sense that Americans feel almost everything causes cancer is very wrong,” says Larry Kessler of the National Cancer Institute. “Most of the contaminants that we started to look for may cause some cancers - but a relatively small number of cancers, and they are not the important things that we thought they were at the time.”
Power lines? Chemical plants? Auto exhaust? Asbestos? Pesticides? “Minor problems,” says John Graham, director of the Harvard University Center for Risk Analysis.
Why are we so frightened by what scientists say are minimal and, in some cases, infinitesimal chances of getting cancer? Blame the media, reports correspondent Robert Bazell. Studies suggesting cancer links get big play. When such studies are discounted by other research, it rarely gets reported.
The negative cancer news sticks because of people’s great fear of cancer - which is directly connected to a latent fear of death.
Bazell, by the way, runs clips of various network anchors reporting cancer risks - but none of his own. He never reported a cancer scare? This rational, informative series continues tomorrow at 9 with a report on cancer treatment and Friday at 9 with a look at cancer research, which Bazell says has moved away from the government and into the private sector.
Highlights
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: In a charming repeat, Bev (Estelle Parsons) imagines Jackie (Laurie Metcalf) is trying to steal suave dance instructor (guest star Tony Curtis) away from her.
“Rapid Fire” (1992), FOX at 8: Brandon Lee stars as a young martial arts master who inadvertently witnesses a mob murder. You can guess the rest.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Paul (Paul Reiser) battles meddlesome executives at The Explorer Channel as he tries to complete a documentary. Jamie (Helen Hunt) works closely with a co-worker (Bradley White) during a marathon effort to put a spin on their boss’ link to a mobster. Repeat.
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9:30: Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”) guest stars as an employment agency head who puts the moves on Richard (Malcolm Getz). The results are hilarious. The repeat episode was originally scheduled for last Tuesday.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: A murder strikes close to home for members of the detective squad in this pivotal episode. Also, Donna (Gail O’Grady) leaves the precinct. Repeat.
Cable Calls
“Silent Witness: Buried Lies” (1996) A&E at 6 and 10: Amanda Burton plays a determined forensic pathologist investigating a child’s murder. This British import serves up a chilling subject, and Burton is convincing as the brainy and compassionate investigator.
What you might like most about the way the story is told is how little it romanticizes police work. That makes the pace closer to real life than most American-made police dramas. There’s no fancy camera work, either. Though sometimes slow-moving, it’s a consuming tale.
“Somebody’s Daughter” (1992), LIFE at 9: Nicollette Sheridan stars in this poorly acted murder-mystery. Sheridan plays a stripper. Get the picture?