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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Exploitation, Greed Subject Of ‘Lawyers’

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Did you hear the one about the lawyers who made it to prime time, only to find out that they were targeted by John Stossel?

ABC’s resident pragmatist asks when we’re going to do something about the American legal system - which he says has become the world’s laughing stock - in the repeat of “The Trouble With Lawyers” at 10.

Football helmets, Stossel cites as an example, cost an extra $100 because of manufacturers’ fears of lawsuits. If you buy a pacemaker, $3,000 goes to protecting against legal action. The threat of litigation has kept vaccines off the market, and a successful hip-replacement procedure has been shelved because of a lawsuit over a plastic used.

Then there’s the truly frivolous cases. Hairdressers have been sued, he says, because customers have had “bad hair days.” And wait until you see what Stossel went through when he was sued by a dentist who said he was slandered in a news report.

Stossel shows us what we already know, but this hour hits home with example after example of exploitation, greed and waste. No other country can match the U.S. justice system when it comes to this outrageous behavior.

Highlights

“Living Single,” FOX at 8:30: In a humorous repeat, Overton becomes an overzealous handyman, and a housekeeper really cleans over at the women’s place.

“Men Behaving Badly,” NBC at 8:30: Kevin obsesses about breast implants, and Jamie wants to pose as a woman. Is this how men behave badly?

“Mystery!,” KSPS at 8: “Dead Man’s Mirror” takes our favorite sleuth Poirot (David Suchet) into the world of art auctions and art dealers after the detective is outbid on a mirror. The winner (Iain Cuthbertson) hires Poirot to find out if his partner has swindled him.

“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: Back for another run is the episode in which Elaine loses friends and respect at the office over her admission she disliked the movie “The English Patient.” Lloyd Bridges and Jerry have a weight-lifting contest. And they say this show is about nothing. Bridges is a charmer.

“Suddenly Susan,” NBC at 9:30: Bottle-cap tossing figures prominently into this weak half-hour that is actually about nothing - and does nothing for most of us.

“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: The hour updates its recent report on Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy, in which parents intentionally cause a child’s sickness to obtain empathy from medical professionals.

Cable Calls

“Garth From Central Park,” HBO at 8: Country’s super superstar takes on the Big Apple in this live concert from Central Park. The inimitable Garth Brooks is giving this concert free of charge, although it’s costing him big. (He was hoping the release of his latest album “Seven” would dovetail with this concert and bring in much revenues. Alas, the album has been put on hold because of financial problems at the record company.)

Rest assured, Brooks will be in good form, but no new songs will be performed. He’ll strut his stuff (which includes interaction with the audience) to old favorites such as “Thunder Rolls,” ” We Shall Be Free” and “Unanswered Prayers.”

“Rough Cut,” TNT at 7:30 and 10:30: Just when you thought there were enough “Entertainment Tonight” knockoffs on the small screen, another premieres. This weekly series kicks off with an interview with director Quentin Tarantino. It was unavailable for review, but it will probably be perky, packed with platitudes and plugs for upcoming movies.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Mel Gibson, baseball player Cal Ripken Jr. and singer Fiona Apple.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Sylvester Stallone, baseball’s Tommy Lasorda and Homemaking guru Bev Tanner.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: CNN’s Greta Van Susteren, author Dean Koontz, actor Rod Steiger and comedian John Henson.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”), animal expert Clyde Peeling and financial analyst Myron Kandel.

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