‘Sabrina’ Sure To Bewitch Preteens
Nickelodeon’s Melissa Joan Hart (“Clarissa Explains It All”), a favorite with kids and parents, stars as a teenager with something different in ABC’s “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” premiering at 8:30.
Based on the character in the Archie comics, this light and lively half-hour is a natural addition to ABC’s “TGIF” lineup. Hart’s tricks are a real treat, and she gets a lot of help from Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick as her aunts, Hilda and Zelda, the playful witches she lives with.
In the series opener, Sabrina awakes on her 16th birthday to discover that she’s descended from a long line of witches on her father’s side of the family.
Not unlike Samantha in “Bewitched,” she can’t avoid using her supernatural powers. And that usually gets her in trouble.
Tonight she turns a snooty classmate into a pineapple. Sabrina appeals to the Witches Council (Deborah Harry and Penn and Teller) to reverse the spell.
Some teens will find “Sabrina” a little square. But preteens and younger kids will get a kick out of this new kid on the block.
Highlights
“Unsolved Mysteries,” NBC at 8: The series wastes little time getting to the sad details of the life of actress Margaux Hemingway, who committed suicide. Producers justify the segment by focusing on the possibility that she may have had a genetic predisposition toward self-destructive behavior.
“Sliders,” FOX at 8: The sliders land in a parallel world that has nearly depleted its natural resources. The hour makes a strong pro-environment message while spinning a clever tale involving some seemingly benevolent scientists.
“Everybody Loves Raymond,” CBS at 8:30: It’s off to a slow ratings start, but I still like this ensemble comedy headed by comic Ray Romano. This week, he’s frazzled by the prospects of delivering a eulogy at his great-uncle’s funeral.
“Clueless,” ABC at 9: Cher (Rachel Blanchard) tries to impress a new guy in school (Christopher Daniel Barnes) by auditioning for a role in the school’s production of “Hamlet.” Shakespeare would not be amused, I suspect.
“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” CBS at 9: The Smiths (Scott Bakula, Maria Bello) pose as a suburban yuppie couple in an effort to avert the theft of government security codes. CBS made a late episode switch to one that already has “Mrs. Smith” (Bello) jealous of a woman who makes a play for her partner. Last week, it seemed as though she couldn’t stand him.
Parents’ Pick
“Mary Poppins” (1964), DISN at 8:05: How’s this for an end-of-the-week delight for the younger members of the household? Julie Andrews charms young and old alike as the super nanny, and Dick Van Dyke is merry fun as her chimney-sweep friend Bert.
Many words describe this family film. One of them is “perfect.” Gather the kids and enjoy.
Cable Calls
“The Brothers McMullen” (1995), MAX at 8: Edward Burns (“She’s the One”) wrote, directed an co-starred with Jack Mulcahy and Mike McGlone in this low-budget drama about three brothers who unexpectedly find themselves living together. Each has a different take on the women in their lives.
Understated performances and credible dialogue make this an engaging film if you have the patience to stay with it.
“Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993), COM at 8: Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are a combination that is hard to beat, and they’re fun to watch in this gag-filled film about a New York City couple who suspect a neighbor of killing his wife.
It was Allen’s attempt to lighten up (about time) and revert to the comedy style that marked his early years.