Lest We Forget: Amnesia At Core Of ‘Dreams’
When NBC’s “Sweet Dreams” first ran last fall, I called it “not completely stupid,” a compliment, I noted, for any TV movie starring Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.
Not that I think she’s a terrible actress. It’s just that she and the other glorious ladies of FOX have made such a string of mediocre TV movies the past couple of seasons that it will be hard to ever again take any of them seriously.
In this thriller (repeated at 8 on NBC), Thiessen plays a woman with amnesia found washed ashore in a small coastal town. To the writer’s credit, you’re kept guessing for a while before the thing unravels.
David Newsom and Amy Yasbeck co-star as a psychiatrist and his wife who help the confused woman piece together her life.
It’s obvious early on that their interest is not coincidental. But this is one of those rare times it’s hard to guess why.
Conchata Ferrell plays a physician who tries to help the confused woman rediscover her true identity; A Martinez is a cop who comes to the rescue.
So, maybe “Sweet Dreams” isn’t stupid.
But I know I must be getting soft in the head any time I have something good to say about a TV movie that uses amnesia as a plot device.
Be warned.
Highlights
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: As Fran (Fran Drescher) prepares for Passover, she’s rattled when Maxwell (Charles Shaughnessy) casts her high school rival (Jane Sibbett) in his new play. Making things worse, the actress hires an admiring Maggie (Nicholle Tom) as her personal assistant. Repeat.
“The World’s Greatest Animal Outtakes: Unleashed 2,” FOX at 8: A duck rides a skateboard; a dog drives a tractor. How would you like to wake up tomorrow, look at the Nielsen overnights and find out this show beat yours in the ratings?
This is what Fred Allen was talking about when he called television “chewing gum for the eyes.” Repeat.
“Spin City,” ABC at 8:30: A blizzard hits New York, causing more chaos than usual in the mayor’s office. In the eye of the storm, Mike (Michael J. Fox) runs into his longtime crush (Amanda Peet), who invites him to share her hotel room.
Which will prevail? The call to duty or the rush of hormones? Repeat.
“The Miss Teen U.S.A. Pageant,” CBS at 9: The beauty contest originates from South Padre Island, Texas, with hosts J. Eddie Peck (“The Young and the Restless”) and 15-year-old model Ivanka Trump (Donald’s daughter) as co-hosts.
“Party of Five,” FOX at 9: Charlie (Matthew Fox) gets cold feet on his wedding day in this repeat from 1995 that marked a serious turn in his fortunes. For those who have been watching the past two seasons, it is saddening to see this as the beginning of the end for Kirsten (Paula Devicq).
Cable Calls
“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: “Armand Hammer: A Life of Deception” exposes the many ways Hammer made his fortune - mostly by questionable means. But his real wealth came when he tried to avoid taxes by investing in nearly defunct Occidental Petroleum.
“Melanie Darrow” (1997), USA at 9: Delta Burke stars as Darrow, a wisecracking lawyer who isn’t above a little blackmail to get what she wants in this tepid murder-mystery.
I have little doubt that the plan was for this to be a network series. We have been graciously spared.
The contrivances - Darrow packs a nickel-plated automatic and speaks perfect Chinese - are distracting and the plot without a shred of imagination.
“Mermaids” (1990), LIFE at 9: Winona Ryder and Cher make waves.
Ryder is an awkward adolescent coping with her free-spirited mother (Cher). Bob Hoskins co-stars in this charming slice of life that was a big career boost for Ryder.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Demi Moore.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Mira Sorvino and rapper Coolio.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Barney Frank, comedian Beth Lapides and former Dan Quayle speechwriter Lisa Schiffren.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actors Jay Mohr and Charles Dutton, and comedian Dom Irrera.