Bring Gavel Down On ‘Country Justice’
CBS’ “Country Justice” at 9 is supposed to be a serious drama with an important social message, but it comes off like a cross between an episode of “The Dukes of Hazzard” and some old, forgotten Valerie Bertinelli TV movie.
Rachael Leigh Cook stars as 16-year-old Emma Baker, a young girl who finds herself in a terrible jam.
Visiting her estranged mother (Ally Sheedy), she’s raped by her mom’s boyfriend, Ray Wilcox (Don Diamont of “The Young and the Restless”). Later she finds she’s pregnant.
Fortunately she’s been raised by her grandfather, a rugged and respected coal miner played by George C. Scott. He provides loving support when Emma decides she wants to have the baby.
Without giving away the entire plot, I can tell you that Wilcox attempts, purely for spite, to win custody of the baby. Grandpa and his truck-driver pals join forces to defy a judge’s incredibly dumb ruling.
Cook is very pleasant as the young girl, but the movie is really built around Scott, who hams it up from start to finish. Sheedy is unconvincing as a honky-tonk woman with nothing but unexplained hatred for her softhearted dad.
Avoid this thin, tiresome tale.
Highlights
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: The series shows no signs of brightening up as Dan (John Goodman) prepares to return to California and Roseanne contemplates the uncertain future of their marriage. Meanwhile, D.J. (Michael Fishman) finds a soul mate (Heather Matarazzo).
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: The Greenes visit wealthy relatives in Montana who are having a hard time understanding an adult brother with Down syndrome. Chris Burke (“Life Goes On”) guest-stars as the brother.
“Figure Skating,” FOX at 8: Top stars take to the ice in “Rock ‘n’ Roll Skating Championship III.” Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton and Kurt Browning are featured.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 9: If your savings are invested in the stock market, this hour will give you a chill. In “Betting on the Market” experts explain the market’s rise and almost certain fall.
Included are fascinating profiles of some of Wall Street’s most successful fund managers.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim (Tim Allen) discovers that Wilson’s (Earl Hindman) visiting cousins are the Beach Boys.
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9:30: Speaking of guest stars, Mackenzie Phillips (“One Day at a Time”) plays Annie’s (Amy Pietz) sister, a fading pop singer trying to revive her career. She writes a song based on a letter she finds - Richard’s (Malcolm Gets) infamous love letter to Caroline (Lea Thompson).
“Spin City,” ABC at 9:30: Mike (Michael J. Fox) is still trying to cope with his breakup with Ashley in this episode, which features Courtney Thorne-Smith (“Melrose Place”) as a woman he considers dating.
Parents’ Pan
“The Shaggy Dog” (1959), DISN at 7: This Disney film was only a minor hit when it was released.
It’s hard to imagine that kids could get too excited about the tale of a boy who is turned into a sheep dog. But Disney tries to pass it off as a classic.
Worse, the cable channel follows it up at 8:45 with 1987’s “The Return of the Shaggy Dog,” a true dog of a TV movie.
Cable Calls
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980), TBS at 5:05: You have to look hard to find a better film biography than this superb story of country singer Loretta Lynn.
Sissy Spacek won an Oscar for the rags-to-riches portrayal. What could have been as oversung as a bad honky-tonk ballad is a heart-stealing tale that goes beyond country cliches.
Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D’Angelo, Levon Helm and Ernest Tubb co-star.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Cher, Jane Fonda and NBC anchor Brian Williams. Repeat.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Penelope Ann Miller and music group BR-549.
“Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor-comedian Dana Carvey, author Joe Queenan, political adviser Dee Dee Myers and radio personality Susan Carpenter McMillan.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Richard Dean Anderson, author Joe Queenan and musical guest Cake. Repeat.