Seinfeld And Friends Still Deliver Laughs
Jerry Seinfeld doesn’t mind telling interviewers that he considers himself the worst actor in NBC’s “Seinfeld” ensemble.
It’s true, but mainly because co-stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards paid more dues as actors.
As Seinfeld said at the Emmys, he merely plays himself.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t funny, even when he’s ridiculously over-the-top. Tonight at 9, for instance, his latest girlfriend (Lori Loughlin of “Full House”) tells him he needs to become more open with his emotions.
I supposed that if you tuned in the episode having never seen the show, you’d be taken aback. Seinfeld’s antics are something of a parody of human behavior.
Jerry (the character) acts like he’s right out of a sitcom - a bad sitcom, sometimes.
Nonetheless, be prepared to laugh when Jerry decides to wear his heart on his sleeve.
Also tonight, George goes to work selling computers out of his father’s (Jerry Stiller) garage. Before he knows it, he’s pitted in a sales contest against his former boyhood friend (Matt McCoy).
Elaine gets into trouble on the bar mitzvah circuit, and Kramer decides to decorate the hallway to match his eclectic apartment interior.
There’s an old theory in television comedy that series peak in their seventh season. This is “Seinfeld’s” eighth time around.
On a bad week, you can see signs of wear. But the rest of the time these zany characters still keep America laughing.
Highlights
“Baseball,” FOX at 5: Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, with Cleveland at Baltimore.
“Friends,” NBC at 8: Chandler (Matthew Perry) does the wild thing with Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) boss (Alison LaPlaca) and lives to regret it. Monica (Courteney Cox) caters a party for her mother (Christina Pickles) and, in the process, loses a fingernail in the food. Also, Penn Jillette guest-stars as an encyclopedia salesman who does a number on Joey (Matt LeBlanc).
“Mystery!” KSPS at 8: In the latest edition to the series, Patricia Routledge (“Keeping Up Appearances”) stars as Hetty Wainthropp, a 60-year-old Lancashire woman who, in “The Bearded Lady,” takes a job at the post office and immediately finds a murder to solve. Her sidekick is a teenager (Dominic Monaghan) she catches shoplifting.
“Cracker,” ABC at 9: “Fitz” (Robert Pastorelli) concentrates on the case of a teacher accused of killing a young male student. But he’s distracted when he’s told that his estranged wife Judith (Carolyn McCormick) is dating their marriage counselor (Don McManus).
“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: Should parents trust their teenagers? Some don’t. And this hour shows the many ways parents are keeping an eye on their kids - from drug tests to high-tech tracking devices.
Cable Calls
“Black Rain” (1989), USA at 9: Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia are New York cops out of their element when the mobster they attempt to deliver to Japanese authorities escapes.
Ridley Scott directed this violent thriller, which treads heavily on Japanese stereotypes. If you strip away the blood and guts and set the story in New York or Los Angeles, it’s a B-grade movie.
“Masters of Fantasy: Roger Corman,” SCI at 7:30: This tribute to the low-budget filmmaker includes highlights of his string of minor horror classics based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Actors and fellow directors praise Corman’s knack for making memorable films on a shoestring.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Chris Rock (“The Chris Rock Show”) and musical group Duran Duran.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: James Belushi (“Total Security”) and music group Oasis.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Elizabeth Perkins, Ken Osmond and Amnesty International Executive Director Dr. William Schulz.
“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.: Actress Jennifer Lopez, Chris Rock (“The Chris Rock Show”) and musical group Duran Duran.