Rather Explores Longtime U.S. Fascination With Castro
Dan Rather interviews Cuba’s Fidel Castro in CBS Reports: “The Last Revolutionary” at 9.
As Rather puts it, there is “a strange and enduring mutual attraction” between the United States and Cuba. It is because of one man, Castro, who has led his island nation for 37 years.
In this fascinating hour, Rather accompanies Castro into the Cuban hills where he led rebels in the overthrow of Cuba’s Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and to the Bay of Pigs, where CIA-backed Cuban exiles attempted unsuccessfully to oust Castro two years later.
Rather talks with three young Americans who joined Castro in the revolution. They are seen in a 1957 CBS News report, and two are reunited with Castro.
Also interviewed are Castro’s older brother, now minister of Agriculture, and his estranged and exiled sister.
Rather tries hard to contrast Castro’s two sides. But it’s not easy to get anyone in Cuba to criticize the president.
You will see a sugar plantation where workers are paid pennies a day. And Rather talks about political oppression and extremes of poverty and privilege in Cuba.
But the hour never makes comparisons between Cuba and other Latin American and South American countries, which surely would have yielded interesting results.
Rather never challenges Castro - never confronts him with a name, an incident, an accusation that would prove that, while seemingly loved by the masses, he is at the same time a ruthless dictator. In the end, charismatic Castro remains an enigma.
Highlights
“WYNONNA: revelations,” CBS at 8: Wynonna promoted her return from a two-year layoff in February with her first television special since 1992. While “revelations” reflects a new sound for the singer, don’t look for any revelations in the interview segments that dot the hour.
What you’ll learn about the singer: Her baby and new husband are the center of her life. She’s come to grips with and learned to ignore tabloid invasions of her personal life.
You’ll see a few seconds of footage from her wedding and lots of video of Wynonna playing with her young son.
The highlight of the hour comes from Bette Midler, who steps out of the audience for a duet and a solo.
“High Incident,” ABC at 8: R. Lee Ermey (“Full Metal Jacket,” 1987) guest-starred in this engaging repeat. Ermey, who played a drill instructor in “Full Metal” and in the current John Wayne Coca-Cola commercials, portrays an ex-Marine who goes on patrol with his daughter, Van Camp (Catherine Kellner), and her partner Fernandez (Julio Oscar Mechoso).
Outstanding writing sets ups a confrontation between the Mexican-American cop and a man he assumes is racist.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8:30: “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73) cast members Henry Gibson, Arte Johnson, Gary Owens and Jo Anne Worley guest-star in a fantasy dream segment. Repeat.
“The Commish: Redemption,” ABC at 9: Scali (Michael Chiklis) is in a bind when Rachel’s father is implicated in a string of racially motivated firebombings. Repeat.
Cable Calls
“Golf,” ESPN at 4:30: The first of two nights of coverage of the British Open includes highlights of the day’s play at St. Annes and Royal Lytham in Lancashire, England. ESPN’s live coverage of the first two rounds - five hour’s worth - airs at 6 a.m. today and tomorrow.
“Movie Magic,” DSC at 9:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.: The always-fascinating series looks at the use of weapons in movies. People unfamiliar with firearms will be surprised to find that the sounds guns make in the movies aren’t much like the real thing. (Grids above were prepared before schedule changes.)