Sitcom In A Sitcom Makes For Good TV
For me, there’s nothing funnier than when a show transcends pretense and reminds the audience that television is a facade - an illusion that, when effective, allows us to free our imagination and escape boredom.
This type of self-referential humor comes to the fore in a pair of sitcoms tonight. First, on NBC’s “Suddenly Susan” at 8, Vicki (Kathy Griffin) challenges Todd (David Strickland) and Luis (Nestor Carbonell) to a contest to see who can go a month without watching “Seinfeld.”
It’s not the main story line, but it’s the funniest. You’ll howl as Vicki protests the “outrageous” salaries the “Seinfeld” cast commands and taunts her own network’s “Must See TV” slogan. It’s hilarious stuff.
Do yourself a favor and switch over to CBS at 9 for a special “George & Leo” episode aptly titled “The Cameo Show.” Some 20 former co-stars of series starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch pop up like kernels of hot-buttered popcorn.
Guests include Marilu Henner and Jeff Conaway (“Taxi”); Bill Daily, Marcia Wallace, Peter Bonerz, Jack Riley and John Fiedler (“The Bob Newhart Show”); Peter Scolari, Julia Duffy, Tom Poston and William Sanderson (“Newhart”); and Jane Carr, Harry Groener, Billie Bird and Tom Willette (“Dear John”). (Conspicuously absent are “The Bob Newhart Show’s” Suzanne Pleshette and “Dear John’s” Jere Burns.
Plot? I can’t begin to explain it. To cover all the bases, there are unavoidable stretches. But there are some brilliant moments - the best is when George (Newhart) visits a bumbling therapist (Scolari) and takes over his group session.
Highlights
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 8:30: Caroline (Lea Thompson) is approached by an old friend (Anita Barone) who asks her to donate eggs so she can get pregnant. Del (Eric Lutes) goes to wacky lengths to be near his beloved Porsche.
“Football,” ABC at 6: In a strong match-up, the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2).
“House of Frankenstein 1997,” NBC at 9: The second half of the farfetched and shallow monster movie is long on special effects and short on just about everything else. It’s too violent for kids and too silly for adults. The scariest part is that the ending leaves room for a sequel.
“Cybill,” CBS at 9:30: It’s a tough decision for Cybill when Dr. Dick asks her to give Maryann (Christine Baranski) a letter she knows will send her crawling back to the rat.
Cable Calls
“Jim Henson’s Storyteller,” HBO at 7:30: This spectacular new series stars Michael Gambon (“The Singing Detective”) as a teller of Greek tales. His sidekick is a fluffy dog, a Henson creation voiced by Brian Henson. The opener, “Perseus & the Gorgon,” is the captivating story of the demigod’s (Jeremy Gilley) encounter with the treacherous Medusa (Frances Barber).
“Dalziel and Pascoe: Deadheads,” A&E at 6 and 10: The sleuths (Warren Clarke, Colin Buchanan) investigate a man obsessed with his rose garden (Jonathan Cullen) who is accused of murder. And there does seem to be a string of deaths to which he is linked. Also, Dalziel looks up a former flame and gets a punch in the nose for his trouble.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Samuel L. Jackson, former presidential candidate Bob Dole and 9-year-old toe-jam collector Joey Pritchard.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor John Travolta, Cybill Shepherd (“Cybill”) and circus performers The Kuznetsov Troupe.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Jerry Springer, Dan Cortese and Todd Rundgren.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Comedians Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks and author Doris Kearns Goodwin.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Singer Wayne Newton, model Madison Michelle and musical guest Southside Johnny. Repeat.