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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Baranski Carries The Day For ‘Cybill’

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Trivia question: What was Maryann’s job when she met Cybill?

You’ll find out in tonight’s “Cybill” (CBS at 9:30) that the cocktail-swilling clotheshorse once worked for Sylvester Stallone. And she met Cybill Sheridan when the young actress auditioned for the role of (Yo!) Adrian in Stallone’s “Rocky.”

It’s another wild, goofy romp for series stars Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski.

Sure, there have been reports of trouble on the set. And yes, it seems possible that Shepherd could resent the attention Baranski has gotten for her hilarious knack for delivering a line or shooting a glance.

Anyone in TV comedy could learn from her sense of timing.

In this episode, however, Baranski does more than make us laugh. The flashback to the gal-pals’ first meeting is sparked by a tiff that threatens their friendship.

Cybill nags Maryann one time too many about putting off a mammogram. Maryann flies off the handle but softens when Cybill agrees to accompany her.

There’s a tender moment when Maryann reveals why the doctor’s visit intimidates her so.

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t one of those weighty turns that sitcoms take and rarely pull off. It’s a small moment mixed around the zany, adult comedy that drives “Cybill.”

Once again, Baranski shows that she’s the catalyst that makes this series work.

Highlights

“Melrose Place,” FOX at 8: The series marks its 150th episode with a two-hour-long installment that features Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith) stunning Jake (Grant Show); Amanda (Heather Locklear) doing a number on Craig (David Charvet); Peter (Jack Wagner) hopping in bed with Taylor (Lisa Rinna); Kimberly (Marcia Cross) taking advantage of Michael (Thomas Calabro); and Carter (Chad Lowe) throwing away everything to have Sydney (Laura Leighton). Whew!

“Clear and Present Danger” (1994), ABC at 8: Thank heavens for a hero like Harrison Ford. He’s perfect as CIA agent Jack Ryan in this sequel to Tom Clancy’s “Patriot Games.”

In this tense thriller the principled intelligence expert discovers a covert military operation aimed at a Colombian drug lord.

Anne Archer reprises her role as Ryan’s wife. James Earl Jones co-stars with Willem Dafoe and Henry Czerny.

“Ink,” CBS at 8:30: Richard Benjamin guest-stars as a “couples therapist” whom both Mike and Kate (Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen) consult separately, following an altercation that escalates into a battle.

“Into the Arms of Danger” (1997), NBC at 9: We’ve seen it before. Morgan Fairchild plays the mom who sets out to save her daughter (Chandra West) from the designs of a con man. He promises to make the naive young woman a model but has something else in mind.

The fact-based “Moment of Truth” movie was unavailable for review.

Cable Calls

“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: “Rosa Parks: Mother of a Movement” profiles the woman who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus to a white man in 1955. Some say her courage launched the civil rights movement, changing the course of history.

Friends, journalists, historians and civil rights activists discuss her influential life.

“Murderous Intent” (1995), LIFE at 9: Corbin Bernsen and Lesley Ann Warren play lovers who plot to kill his wife in this fact-based tale. Worse, they set up her daughter (Tushka Bergen) and mentally retarded son as part of the plan.

Tense and fast-paced, it has more energy and suspense than most movies of this sort. Bernsen again delivers an over-the-top performance, creating a character you can’t believe any woman would want to know, much less love.

Warren comes off as too conventional to go along with his scheme. But it’s a decent potboiler.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: From Las Vegas, actor-comedian Tom Arnold and singer Wayne Newton.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Letterman celebrates his 15th anniversary in latenight television on NBC and CBS. Guests to be announced.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Jeff Greenfield, Mark Hamill, Lisa Kudrow and author Lisa Schiffren.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Kevin Bacon, actress Bonnie Hunt and comedian J.R. Havlin. Repeat.