Nbc Gives Live Coverage Of Olympic Rite
NBC’s coverage of the Atlanta Olympics kicks off at 5 with live coverage of the opening ceremonies.
The four-hour-long telecast will feature the always inspiring parade of athletes: 11,500 from 197 countries will file in, take the Olympic oath, observe the lighting of the torch and then settle back for a festive gala.
Celine Dion and Jessye Norman will sing songs written specifically for the 1996 Games.
Ever notice how so many people look down their noses at the Super Bowl halftime extravaganzas? It’s different when an Olympic stadium is awash with flags and streamers and wildly enthusiastic onlookers.
This is as close as we, as members of this planet, come to standing hand in hand.
One thing the Super Bowl and the Olympics have in common, however, is that ticket prices are out of this world. Attending the events has become something of an elite experience.
Ticket prices and the cost of accommodations make both sport spectaculars out of reach for most people.
Fortunately there is television, which gives you the best seats in the house.
Highlights
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983), CBS at 8: Before the world had heard of Jim Carrey, this dumber-and-dumber caper proved that stupid comedies can be very entertaining.
Chevy Chase stars as a family man who embarks on a Chicago-California family vacation in which everything goes wrong. Beverly D’Angelo plays his wife.
Randy Quaid is disgustingly funny as a kooky relative. John Candy and Christie Brinkley also star. John Hughes is responsible for the sometimes gross script.
“Sliders,” FOX at 8: Quinn (Jerry O’Connell) is trapped alone on an astral plane where only a young psychic (Deanna Milligan) can help him get back to his fellow sliders. Repeat.
“Step By Step,” ABC at 9: In a dull variation of a tired sitcom plot, Carol (Suzanne Somers) is upset when she finds out that the fancy watch Frank (Patrick Duffy) bought her for Valentine’s Day is a fake. Repeat.
“Nightline,” ABC at 11:35: Ted Koppel interviews “The Three Tenors” - Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti - on the eve of their only U.S. performance on their world tour.
“alt.filmmtv,” MTV at 9:30: A new series showcases offbeat and alternative films. The show will also keep track of various festivals that support new, independent films. Chris Connelly hosts.
Cable Calls
“The Day of the Jackal” (1973), TNT at 5: Edward Fox is riveting in this tense spy thriller. The British actor plays an assassin out to kill French President Charles De Gaulle.
Actual film footage of De Gaulle is incorporated into the heart-stopping final scenes, lending credibility to an already absorbing tale. Based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel.
“The Fabulous Baker Boys” (1989), USA at 9: Talk about a rose among thorns. Michelle Pfeiffer plays a spirited singer who enlivens the careers of two brothers (Jeff and Beau Bridges) whose piano act has gone flat.
The inevitable romance between the sexy songstress and the handsome Baker brother pushes jealousy to a crescendo. It all works well, with the conflict held back as long as possible.
Pfeiffer and Jeff Bridges are hot. Beau is convincing as the responsible brother always losing out to his sibling.
Talk Time
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor David Duchovny, U.S. Olympic athlete Jackie-Joyner Kersee and music group Sponge.
“Tonight,” NBC at 12:35: Actor Samuel L. Jackson, martial arts master-actor Jackie Chan and comedian Pat Hazell.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 1:35 a.m.: Actress Andie MacDowell, actor Ewen Bremner and music guest Jill Sobule.