‘Champs’ Offers Less Than Trophy-Winning Comedy
You’ve read about the millions of dollars that have been put into DreamWorks, the production company formed by entertainment giants David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg.
Expectations would be high then for “Champs,” DreamWorks’ first series for ABC, premiering at 9:30. But this alleged comedy is mediocre, if not unwatchable. DreamWorks’ television debut hits with a resounding thud.
“Champs,” produced by Gary David Goldberg (“Family Ties,” “Brooklyn Bridge”), stars Timothy Busfield (“thirtysomething”) as family man Tom McManus. He has a law-student wife (Ashley Crow) and two kids, but he spends most of his time with three former teammates from his high school basketball team (Ed Marinaro, Kevin Nealon, Paul McCrane) and their coach (Tom McLarty).
After watching three episodes, I can report that Busfield is so colorless that more than one critic will probably dub this series “thirtynothing.” He’s not cut out for this kind of comedy.
Marinaro (“Hill Street Blues,” “Sisters”) isn’t cut out for any kind of comedy. If not for Nealon, there wouldn’t be a single reason to laugh.
The trouble with a comedy about male bonding is that too many of the jokes are hackneyed - guys are obsessed with sports and out of touch with their feelings - and the semiserious parts - one of the pals is going through a divorce - come off as disingenuous.
“Home Improvement” works because Tim is a ridiculous caricature of man-as-ape. “Champs” tries to get laughs from normal guys spouting funny lines. But these chumps aren’t that funny.
Highlights
“Nova,” KSPS at 7: “Terror in the Mind Fields” looks at land mines, produced by the millions as weapons of terror. Not only are they hazards of war zones, but they are also killers of innocent civilians long after combat has ceased.
In Cambodia, 1 in 236 people have been maimed by mines. There, the manufacture of artificial limbs is one of the nation’s few growth industries. Included is the role a U.S. company plays in the manufacture of land mines.
‘Demolition Man” (1993), FOX at 8: This satirical futuristic thriller is filled with surprises. Sylvester Stallone plays a cop who, after 36 years in suspended animation (he was convicted of manslaughter), faces his archenemy (Wesley Snipes). Sandra Bullock co-stars with Oscar nominee Nigel Hawthorne (“The Madness of King George”) and Benjamin Bratt (“Law & Order”).
“3rd Rock From the Sun,” NBC at 8:30: They’re not coneheads, but they are space aliens in human form. John Lithgow stars as the leader, posing as physics professor Dick Solomon, with Kristen Johnston, French Stewart and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as his cohorts. Jane Curtin plays an earthling professor who catches Dick’s eye.
There are some great lines, and Lithgow is wonderfully funny, more so than droll Curtin.
If nothing else, this new comedy bears no resemblance to “Friends.” This season, that’s saying something.
“The Cold Heart of a Killer” (1995), CBS at 9: A killer stalks the Iditarod dog-sled race in an unavailable-for-review thriller. Corbin Bernsen, Kate Jackson and Michael Damian star.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 9: Two-part “The Gulf War” looks back on the conflict with five years of hindsight. Discussed is the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering that led to a decision to strike Iraq and an allegation by Israeli Defense Minister Mose Arens that “probably not a single Scud (missile) was intercepted by a Patriot.”
Cable Calls
“Ralph Emery: On the Record,” TNN at 5: Emery chats it up with singers Brooks and Dunn.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor John Travolta, Lauren Holly (“Picket Fences”) and singer Jimmy Buffett. Repeat.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Richard Harris, actor-comedian Pauly Shore and singer Pam Tillis.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Tony Randall and Brian Austin Green (“Beverly Hills, 90210”). Repeat.