Suspense Of ‘Fall’ Will Hold Attention
NBC’s “Fall Into Darkness” at 9 is a suspense-filled drama that races along with passion, betrayal and murder.
Based on teen novelist Christopher Pike’s book, “Darkness” starts with the premise that teenagers can be cruel and maniacal and then turns into a portrait of insanity.
Off-screen sweethearts Tatyana M. Ali (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) and Jonathan Brandis (“seaQuest DSV”) star with Charlotte Ross (“Days of Our Lives”).
Piano virtuoso Sharon McKay (Ali) is romanced by a wealthy orphan Jerry (Sean Murray) whom she eventually rejects. He takes the news badly, getting drunk and apparently wandering into the path of a speeding train.
His sister Ann (Ross) blames Sharon and cooks up a plot to frame her for murder - faking her own death with plans to disappear.
Brandis plays a role in the staged murder, which doesn’t work out exactly as planned.
I liked Ali’s range of emotions. She’s a smart young actress who fits into the story well.
That she is black and those conspiring against her are white adds a provocative dimension. Race isn’t the issue, but it’s hard to ignore.
“Fall Into Darkness” shows why Pike has been called “the Stephen King of teen fiction.” And adults will find it appealing, too.
Highlights
“Cosby,” CBS at 8: Hilton (Bill Cosby) passes security guard school with flying colors and gets a job in an upscale apartment building. Typically, his job satisfaction rates low.
New York Yankees’ Joe Torre and pitcher David Cone have cameos.
“Ink,” CBS at 8:30: Mike (Ted Danson) is beaming when a popular deli names a sandwich in his honor. But he’s horrified when the first person who orders it drops dead.
“Football,” ABC at 6: The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) take on the Miami Dolphins (6-5).
“American Masters,” KSPS at 9: “Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice” profiles the elegant singer-actress whose Hollywood success was a breakthrough for black entertainers.
“Close Call: Cheating Death,” FOX at 9: Survivors of near-death experiences tell their stories. Included is a bungee-jumper whose cable snapped and a skydiver who was tangled in his gear until the very last second he could open his chute.
“Cybill,” CBS at 9:30: The writers find a new way to make us laugh. Maryann (Christine Baranski) can’t make her high school reunion so Cybill (Cybill Shepherd) stands in, posing as Maryann and with plans to settle a few old scores with the classmates who made her pal’s life miserable.
Cable Calls
“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: Actor Jack Lemmon is profiled. Gregory Peck says Lemmon may be “the closest thing to an American Olivier we have.” Neil Simon, Walter Matthau, Kevin Spacey and director Billy Wilder add more accolades.
“South Bank Show,” BRV at 7: “Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz” looks at the composer and showman’s career from his early days in Australia until his death in 1992.
Allen is seen performing solo as well as with former wife Liza Minnelli and her mother, Judy Garland. The telecast includes footage from a 1993 memorial concert featuring a performance by Bette Midler.
“The Selling of Innocents” MAX at 11: The red-light district of Bombay, India, is the largest in the world, and many of the young girls working there have been kidnapped, bartered for or carted off as sex slaves. That’s the horrid reality of this “Cinemax Reel Life” documentary.
The film takes an oddly antiseptic approach to the provocative subject matter. Watching it is as unsatisfying as it is depressing.
“Loveline,” MTV at midnight: Radio talk-show personalities Adam Carolla and Drew Pinsky host this new “interactive” series.
Viewers and audience members discuss love, sex and relationships. The Monday-through-Friday show also features celebrity guests.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Christie Brinkley and Scott Wolf (“Party of Five”).
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”), actor Delroy Lindo and singer Wynona.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Isabella Rossellini, comedian Jeff Stilson and columnist Art Buchwald. Repeat.