‘Caroline’ Takes Unexpected Twist
Last season, NBC’s “Caroline in the City” ended with unlikely lovers Caroline and Richard passing like two ships in the night.
Tonight’s season finale, told in two parts at 8:30 and 9:30, unfolds with Richard (Malcolm Gets) reconnecting with “the only woman he ever loved.”
Of course, we know different. But what transpires is the most unexpected turn this series has taken.
Richard bumps into Julia (Sofia Milos), an exotic, carefree beauty who announces she is about to get married. To hide his disappointment, Richard coerces Caroline (Lea Thompson) to masquerade as his wife.
The sham gets complicated when Julia has second thoughts about her wedding and invites herself to be their house guest.
Gets was widely praised as one of last season’s brightest new sitcom stars. And he’s as funny as ever tonight as Caroline’s cynical but insecure assistant.
The series has gotten good mileage out of his relationship with Caroline, going for something other than the standard “sexual tension” device that we’ve seen too many times.
What happened last season, and what you’ll see tonight, is consistent with Richard’s and Caroline’s characters. These are people who have been through so many bad relationships they may not recognize a good thing.
At least, not both of them at the same time. …
Highlights
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: In a dramatic season finale, Russell and Claire (Gerald McRaney, Wendy Phillips) are wrongly accused of child negligence by a social worker (Sharon Gless). A judge signs an order for Nathaniel (Eddie Karr) to be taken from his parents, setting off a series of nightmarish events.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Jamie’s mother, Theresa (Carol Burnett), and Paul’s mother, Sylvia (Cynthia Harris), argue over cribs each has bought for the baby, which arrives in next week’s episode.
“Quicksilver Highway” (1997), FOX at 8: Christopher Lloyd stars as a mysterious stranger who drives a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and pulls an Airstream trailer. He’s a storyteller, and the stories are from the imagination of Stephen King.
Matt Frewer and Missy Crider co-star. Unavailable for review.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 9: Chilling “Little Criminals” examines the case of a 6-year-old Richmond, Calif., boy accused of attempted murder when he beat an infant as he tried to steal a Big Wheels tricycle. Experts discuss how they went about forming opinions on whether he should be tried as an adult.
“The Last Don” (1997), CBS at 9 and Wednesday at 9: In Part 2, Cross (Jason Gedrick) falls for a movie goddess (Daryl Hannah) who is being terrorized by her ex-husband. Dante (Rory Cochrane) makes his bid to become a family hit man.
Solid performances make this saga hard to resist.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: In a touching episode, Jill (Patricia Richardson) deals with her guilt when her father dies the day after she fibs that she’s ill in order to postpone his visit. It’s a chance for Richardson to show her underutilized talent.
Cable Calls
“The Unguarded Moment” (1956), AMC at 5:15 and 10:30: Esther Williams stars in a nonswimming role in this average melodrama. She plays a teacher who is traumatized by an encounter with a student.
It sounds like a contemporary movie of the week but plays more like one of the so-called “women’s weepies” of the 1940s.
“Jeremiah Johnson” (1972), TBS at 6:30: Robert Redford renders a memorable character sketch as a rugged mountain man pitted against the elements and rival trappers in this rambling tale directed by Sydney Pollack.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), Joe Cavallo and his performing birds from SeaWorld. and actress Milla Jovovich.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: To be announced.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Laura Dern, Fran Drescher and authors Marianne Williamson and Star Parker.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: To be announced.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Danny Aiello, comedian George Carlin and musical guest Shawn Colvin.