‘Bye Bye, Love’ Hardly Worth A Hello
Haven’t I said something about writing being so important to TV drama? Well, it’s no less critical to a big-screen comedy, and 1995’s “Bye Bye, Love” (FOX at 8) is a prime example of how a talented cast can be wasted in a contrived and convoluted script.
Imagine being handed Matthew Modine, Randy Quaid, Paul Reiser and Janeane Garofalo and turning out a movie that only reminds one of all the gags worn thin by bad sitcom writers over the years?
The talented gentlemen play divorced dads, each coping with the challenges of part-time parenthood while adjusting to full-time singlehood.
Each is assigned a stock dilemma: Dave (Modine) has women circling but fears commitment. Vic (Quaid) is consumed by anger toward his ex-wife, and Donny (Reiser) hasn’t gotten over his ex.
Garofalo is thrown in as a date from hell in one of many sequences that goes on far too long without a payoff.
This is the time of the television season that we’re exposed to bad new sitcoms that come and, mercifully, go. It’s a blessing that, after tonight, we can say bye-bye to this comedy.
Highlights
“Baseball,” NBC at 5: It’s Game 1 of the National League Championship Series as Florida visits Atlanta.
“Nova,” KSPS at 7: “Coma” follows the treatment of a 9-year-old boy who is in a coma after being struck by a car. This marks the start of the series’ 24th season.
“JAG,” CBS at 8: In a provocative scenario, Harm and Mac (David James Elliott, Catherine Bell) prosecute a Marine colonel who is court-martialed for the unauthorized rescue of his men. Regardless of his heroism, he faces charges of disobeying orders.
And to Harm and Mac’s surprise, Adm. Chegwidden (John M. Jackson) defends the accused.
“Soul Man,” ABC at 8:30: Rev. Mike (Dan Aykroyd) copes with an overzealous new assistant played by new cast regular Anthony Clark, the high-energy star of NBC’s canceled “Boston Common.” The episode’s other crisis: Mike’s beloved vintage motorcycle is stolen.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim (Tim Allen) thinks he’s helping Jill (Patricia Richardson) when he decides to turn the attic into her private office. But he’s offended when she decides it’s a bad idea. (A repeat episode airs at 8.)
“Frontline,” KSPS at 8: The series’ 16th season begins with yet another investigation into the conduct of President Clinton and the first lady in the Whitewater deal. Included are interviews with the Clintons’ former Arkansas associates, Jim and Susan McDougal.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smitts, Dennis Franz) find themselves in the unusual position of fighting to prove the innocence of a murder suspect.
“Dellaventura,” CBS at 10: The cop-turned-private-eye (Danny Aiello) is on the case when the ruthless head of a record company murders a man to “get the attention” of a singer thinking about signing with another label.
Cable Calls
“The Young Lions” (1958), AMC at 5:35 and 11:35: Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin star in this adaptation of Irwin Shaw’s far-reaching World War II novel.
The story follows three soldiers - a German (Brando), an American Jew (Clift), and an American singer (Martin) - from their enlistments to a meeting outside a concentration camp near the end of the war.
That Shaw’s original, tragic ending was sanitized - and Brando’s character redeemed - is a shame. But performances by Brando and Clift are a study in fine acting.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Whoopi Goldberg, Mark Harmon (“Chicago Hope”) and Kansas City Chiefs running back Marcus Allen.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Bryant Gumbel (“Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel”), actor-comedian Harland Williams and music group Everclear.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Tony Danza, Kitty Kelley, Travis Tritt and Ben Stein.
“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.: Musical guest Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.