Even With Nicholson, ‘Wolf’ Lacks Bite
FOX serves up a Halloween treat, 1994’s “Wolf” at 8, starring Jack Nicholson as an editor for a New York City publishing company who is bitten by a wolf and turned into a werewolf.
Don’t be tricked. This movie attempts to place the werewolf legend in a contemporary setting, using office politics as a backdrop. Despite Nicholson’s considerable talent, the twists fail to turn the tale into meaty drama.
Nicholson’s character, Will Randall, finds out that he’s being replaced by the owner’s snobby son (James Spader). This comes just days after Randall, on an outing in Vermont, was bitten by a wolf.
This is a story of revenge and tragic love. Randall, knowing he’s being transformed into a werewolf, puts the bite on his young rival while falling for the owner’s daughter (Michelle Pfeiffer).
While there is an unnerving feeling throughout, the scare factor is low. It’s not that kind of movie. But it didn’t turn out to be quite as profound and smart a movie as its makers surely intended.
Highlights
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: I’ve only seen the promos, but this looks like a hoot. In a spoof of the “Speed” movies, Paul and Jamie (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) find that baby Mabel’s crying jags can only be silenced by constant movement. Keep that child moving or she’ll explode! This is even funnier to parents who have gone to great lengths to quiet a fussy baby.
“Soul Man,” ABC at 8: Dan Aykroyd reprises the hilarious Julia Child impression he made famous on “Saturday Night Live” in a Halloween episode in which the minister teaches sons Kenny and Andy (Kevin Sheridan, Brendon Ryan Barrett) a lesson.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: At a wild Halloween costume party, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) mistakenly believes there’s something romantic going on between Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Daphne (Jane Leeves).
“Michael Hayes,” CBS at 9: Daniel VonBargen, one of my favorite villains, guest stars as a radio talk-show host who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder after urging a listener to kill a federal agent. G. Gordon Liddy, the Watergate figure and talk-show host who has been accused of encouraging similar mayhem, may be watching this one with interest.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 8: “Dreams of Tibet” looks at the Western world’s (especially Hollywood’s) renewed interest in Tibet and its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
“Just Shoot Me,” NBC at 9:30: Chad Everett (“Medical Center”) guest stars as an older man who goes out with Maya (Laura San Giacomo), much to her father’s (George Segal) displeasure.
Cable Calls
“Assault on Devil’s Island” (1997), TNT at 5, 7 and 9: TNT, which brings us WCW pro wrestling on Monday nights, serves up a movie for the wrestling crowd. WCW star Terry “Hulk” Hogan plays the head of a Navy SEALs unit dispatched to rescue a gymnastics team held by terrorists. Carl Weathers plays his right-hand man, and Shannon Tweed plays a DEA operative.
This cheapo action-adventure is so familiar it made my eyes glaze over. All the gunplay, martial arts and explosives in Hollywood couldn’t dress it up. The executive producers list “Baywatch” and “Thunder in Paradise” as their credits. And it shows.
“VH1 Fashion Awards,” VH1 at 9: Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd host the ceremonies honoring designers, models, photographers, musicians and celebrities. Quirky? Kate Moss and Courtney Love compete in the same category. Musical performances include Fiona Apple, En Vogue, Jamiroquai and the Rolling Stones.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Dennis Quaid, actor Mark Wahlberg and race-car driver Jeff Gordon.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Illusionists Penn & Teller and singer Amy Grant.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Faith Ford, Wayne Cotter and historian Michael Beschloss.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actor-comedian Michael Palin and author Stephen Jay Gould.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Laura San Giacomo (“Just Shoot Me”).