‘Life’ Missteps With Obsession Episode
Rick Reynolds is the latest stand-up comic to spin his stage persona into a sitcom.
CBS’ “Life … and Stuff” at 8:30 gets off to a dubious start as ad executive Rick Boswell (Reynolds) whines and complains about not having enough sex with his wife Ronnie (Pam Dawber).
That he talks about it to strangers in elevators is supposed to be funny. It’s not, really.
That he obsesses about it with co-workers (Ilana Levine and wonderfully deadpan Fred Applegate) is sometimes quite funny.
But the half-hour falters in scenes with Dawber, who acts as if she needs Robin Williams to burst through the door with some wild banter she can react to.
Her lines, not particularly funny to begin with, fall flat, practically leaving Reynolds on his own.
Reynolds is a talented comedian whose neurotic style hits home for a lot of folks. And the issue that drives the premiere is relevant to many couples.
I can’t remember a series that addressed it any more directly, and the half-hour is resolved in a fairly sweet manner. But many will have tuned out by then.
What you may notice is that this show seems to be “Everybody Loves Raymond” without the next-door parents.
Parents be warned: This is an 8:30 show with a couple of cute kids in the cast (Tanner Lee Prairie, Brandon Allen), but it is not suitable for young children.
Highlights
“Step By Step,” ABC at 8: The series moves to the 8 o’clock spot, occupied for the past six season by “Family Matters.” (Both jump to CBS in the fall.)
In a first-run episode, Dana and Rich (Staci Keanan, Jason Marsden) attend a friend’s wedding and feel pressure to make a decision about their future.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: Included is a report on a Florida man prosecutors charged with a crime following a dispute with his wife that led to her suicide.
“Basketball,” NBC at 6: The NBA championship series moves to Salt Lake City, where the Chicago Bulls meet the Jazz in Game 3.
“Clueless,” ABC at 9:30: Another canceled “T.G.I.F” comedy shows up after being banished during May sweeps.
Cher (Rachel Blanchard) tries to reconcile Dionne and Murray (Stacey Dash, Donald Adeosun Faison), but her plan backfires. Repeat.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: Amy Grossberg, the 18-yearold college freshman charged with murder in the death of her newborn son last November, talks with Barbara Walters. Grossberg and her boyfriend, Brian Peterson, are accused of killing the child and leaving his body in a trash bin.
Cable Calls
“Investigating Tarzan,” AMC at 5 and 9:30: This remarkably thorough and nostalgic hour kicks off a three-day, 32-movie “Tarzan Adventure” marathon.
The documentary spans Tarzan in film, radio, television and the comics, from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first novel through the great Johnny Weissmuller years to the television series starring Joe Lara.
The hour includes interviews with Africans and African-Americans, who discuss the implications of an Anglo-Saxon who becomes lord of the jungle - a perspective usually glossed over or ignored when “Tarzan” is discussed.
The marathon kicks off at 6 with one of Weissmuller’s best films, 1934’s “Tarzan and His Mate.”
“Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie” (1996), MAX at 8: The cast of the cult cable series deconstructs 1954’s “This Island Earth.” Wacky fun.
“‘The Larry Sanders Show’ Marathon,” HBO at 12:30 a.m.: Get caught up on the series’ fifth season as all 13 episodes air back to back.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Comedian Paula Poundstone.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Farrah Fawcett, talk-show host Craig Kilborn and singer John Fogerty.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Chevy Chase, Steven Bochco, Susan Estrich and commentator Jennifer Grossman.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Tony Randall and Carmen Electra (“Singled Out”).