‘Moloney’ Had Better Liven Up Quickly
From about the time Cain murdered Abel, people have had a fascination with what motivates a killer. It’s been a staple in literature, plays, film and television, too.
CBS’ “Moloney” at 9 is one of three new series this fall that are about law-enforcement specialists who try to infiltrate the criminal mind.
On FOX’s “Millennium” and NBC’s “Profiler” investigators use a second sense. But Nick Moloney, played by Peter Strauss, relies on his skills as a police psychiatrist.
Now in its third week, the series mainly has served as fodder against NBC’s Thursday lineup. However, it’s not scheduling that sinks “Moloney” as much as it is an uninspired pace and often deadly dialogue. Moloney is set up as a bright and thoughtful student of human behavior. Talking is what he does best, which doesn’t do much for a television series.
Complicating matters, his pals, Assistant District Attorney Calvin Patterson (Wendell Pierce) and police Lt. Matty Navarro (Nestor Serrano) are dullsville, and so is Moloney’s ex-wife (Cherie Lunghi). “Moloney” has problems, not the least of which is next week’s premiere of ABC’s “Murder One” at 9. Probably more than can be worked out in these Thursday evening sessions.
HIGHLIGHTS
“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 8: One of the things that helps this series is that you never know who may show up in a guest role or cameo. Tonight, figure Skaters Tai Babilonia, Randy Gardner and Peggy Fleming guest-star when Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) investigates an attack on a skater (Julie Benz).
“Baseball,” FOX at 5: National League divisional play resumes with Atlanta meeting Los Angeles. Earlier on ESPN, it’s San Diego-St. Louis at 1.
“Mystery!” KSPS at 8: A new season begins with a new face as Alan Bates stars in the four-part “Oliver’s Travels.” Bates plays a retired college instructor with a passion for crossword puzzles who, with the help of an attractive police detective (Sinead Cusack), goes searching for a missing crossword compiler.
Breathtaking locations in England, Scotland and Wales and the clever combination of romantic comedy and modern thriller make this lots of fun.
“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: Roberta Baskin reports on laser cosmetic surgery, the latest way to shave years off your body.
“ER,” NBC at 10: A busy hour includes Carter’s (Noah Wyle) problems with a hypochondriac neighbor (Eileen Brennan), and Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) comparing notes on their blind dates.