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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Emotion Burns Deeply In ‘Heart Of Fire’

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Patrick Duffy (“Step By Step,” “Dallas”) plays a world-weary firefighter with personal problems who must rescue a young girl trapped under a truck as a blazing fire rages around them in CBS’ “Heart of Fire” at 9.

If you can accept the possibility that a gasoline tanker truck can be partially on fire, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat in this well-intended drama.

Duffy is Max Tucker, who answers a call to an accident in which a young girl (Alex McKenna) is trapped beneath the wheels of a tanker engulfed in flames. He dives through a wall of flames to be with her until his cohorts can extinguish the blaze.

All I can say is it’s better than it sounds. The special effects are impressive - it must have been a dangerous movie to make - and Duffy plays the ordinary guy quite well.

While in the midst of the fire, knowing his life could end any second, he sorts out his life. He lives on his own, and his estranged wife and daughters have mixed feelings about ever having him back.

“Heart of Fire” is a refreshing break from crime movies and romantic melodramas. It’s about how a guy can hit bottom emotionally yet still muster the courage to save a child’s life and then find hope in his own.

Highlights

“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: In a somber half-hour, Dan (John Goodman) makes a startling confession. The first 10 minutes could have been lifted from a daytime drama.

In contrast is a humorless story line in which D.J. (Michael Fishman) has second thoughts about videotaping the birth of Darlene’s (Sara Gilbert) baby.

Memo to Roseanne: Even your most devoted fans - I’m one - are having trouble with the awkward turns the series has taken. Make us laugh again.

“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Jamie (Helen Hunt) is rightfully upset when, upon learning she’s pregnant, her boss hires a woman (Kari Coleman) to be her assistant.

“Vanishing Point” (1997), FOX at 8: The 1971 film starring Barry Newman is updated, and it ain’t bad. Viggo Mortensen stars as a young man in a souped-up Dodge Challenger on the run from four state police forces and the FBI. He’s trying to arrive in time to be with his wife (Christine Elise), who is about to give birth to their first child. But her delivery is complicated by lupus, a disease that threatens her life.

The chase scenes, though well done, get a bit old. And the way the authorities are made out to be fools is heavy-handed. But there’s an element of suspense that holds the action-drama together.

The ending is worth sticking around for.

“Frasier,” NBC at 9: The boys discover their dad has been dating two women (Jane Kaczmarek, Marsha Mason). Mason begins a recurring role as the woman who wins Martin’s heart and proves to be a terror to Frasier and Niles.

“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: One of the things that sets this series apart from other crime shows is that the cops don’t always play by the rules.

Tonight is another example of expediency as Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) phony-up a conversation that gets exactly the results they hope for. Also, it’s a pivotal episode in Simone’s romance with Russell (Kim Delaney).

Cable Calls

“Little Man Tate” (1991), LIFE at 9: Jodie Foster made her debut as a director in this affecting film in which she plays the mother of a 7-year-old genius (Adam Hann-Byrd). The mother, single and working-class, is overwhelmed by the boy, and so is the director of a special school (Dianne Wiest).

The heart of the movie lies in Foster’s tender portrayal of a mother who feels that her one love is being taken from her - and by a person who isn’t meeting his needs. Harry Connick Jr. and Debi Mazar co-star.

The moody jazz score is by Mark Isham, one of the artists responsible for the great sounds accompanying this season’s atmospheric “EZ Streets,” which was canceled by CBS.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor-director Albert Brooks, actress Kristin Scott Thomas and boxing champion Oscar de la Hoya.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Ray Liotta and actress-comedian Tracey Ullman.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Comedian Brian Regan.