Visit ‘Oasis’ And Count Your Blessings
A night filed with early Thanksgiving treats begins with “Okavango: Africa’s Savage Oasis” (NBC at 8).
The latest National Geographic special takes viewers to Africa’s Kalahari Desert and a lush oasis known as Okavango. The 5,000-square mile delta is home to a variety of fish, birds and game.
The life cycle of the oasis is recorded with fabulous footage by Emmy-winner Tim Liversedge. The film shows how animals adjust to the changing environment as the delta is transformed from a wet and fertile feeding ground to a hostile, dry wasteland.
One of the most dramatic moments comes when the parched grasses are ignited by lightning. The animals struggle, but they survive.
This is an appropriate theme for the night before Thanksgiving. It reminds us that good fortunes can change and that we should be thankful for times of prosperity.
NBC deserves credit for standing by the National Geographic specials. These days, they aren’t great ratings grabbers, just great television.
Highlights
“The Pelican Brief” (1993), CBS at 8: Law student Julia Roberts stumbles upon a plot to assassinate two U.S. Supreme Court justices. The bad guys want her dead, and her only ally is investigative reporter Denzel Washington.
The adaptation of John Grisham’s novel is well-paced but not always easy to swallow.
The ending is a bit of a letdown. But Roberts and Washington carry the day with fine performances.
“Beverly Hills, 90210,” FOX at 8: Habitat for Humanity is showcased in this Thanksgiving episode in which the “90210” gang pitches in to build a house. Brandon (Jason Priestley) decides he can’t be friends with Steve (Ian Ziering) when he finds out he has plagiarized a term paper.
“The World’s Greatest Magic III,” NBC at 9: Top magicians from around the world gather in Las Vegas, Nev. Among the illusions: A twin-engine airplane appears from an empty box, a giant tiger vanishes, a woman is cleaved in half, and 25 showgirls disappear and reappear.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 9: Still in New York, Grace (Brett Butler) has a hot night with a firefighter (Mark Harelik). Meanwhile, Russell (Dave Thomas) has his hands full baby-sitting Grace’s kids.
“Party of Five,” FOX at 9: Charlie (Matthew Fox) has an uneasy date with Grace (Tamara Taylor) on what would have been his and Kirstin’s first wedding anniversary. Sara (Jennifer Love Hewitt) tells Bailey (Scott Wolf) that she wants to sleep with him, but is it for the wrong reason?
Parents’ Picks
“The Thanksgiving Promise” (1986), DISN at 7: The Bridges family stars in this outstanding holiday tale of a boy who becomes too fond of a goose being fattened for a Thanksgiving feast.
Beau Bridges directed the film, in which he stars with his father, Lloyd; his wife, Dorothy; their son, Jordan; and Beau’s brother, Jeff, in a small, unbilled role.
“E.T. The Extraterrestrial” (1982), TNT at 5: There’s no finer family entertainment as everyone gathers on Thanksgiving Eve. The classic fantasy only grows better with time.
Cable Calls
“Inside the Actors Studio,” BRV at 7: Oscarwinner Martin Landau talks to students at the New School in New York City.
Among other things, he recalls his introduction to acting (he took a leave from his job as a New York Daily News cartoonist to perform in summer stock) and his early friendships with James Dean and Marilyn Monroe.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield and Microsoft co-founder and chief executive officer Bill Gates.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor-comedian Martin Short and actress Rita Wilson.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Singer-actor Kenny Rogers and paleontologist Michael Novacek.