Elton John Tells Abc Of Song For Diana
ABC’s “20/20” (at 10) has what appears to be the night’s coup in television’s continuing coverage of the Princess Diana tragedy.
In an interview, Elton John tells Barbara Walters he will sing at the funeral of his close friend.
“I’ve been asked to sing, which I consider an incredible honor,” he says. It is, he adds, “quite a daunting thing, but I’m not scared about it. I really want to.”
John tells Walters that the invitation came from Diana’s sister, Sarah, but that it was not simple. Asked if the request was approved by Queen Elizabeth, he replies, “Yes. And, I think, not just the queen. You have to go through such an elaborate labyrinth of people. There’s the people of the courtiers of the palace, there’s Westminster Abbey, because it’s a sacred place, and people want it to be dignified, as I do.”
He’ll sing a version of “Candle in the Wind” rewritten for the occasion by Bernie Taupin. The first line, John said, is “Goodbye, England’s rose.”
Also, “Dateline NBC” (NBC at 9) will expand to two hours tonight with more on the princess’s death. Jane Pauley anchors from London with Stone Phillips in New York.
Highlights
“Ordinary/Extraordinary,” CBS at 8: See how they trained Bart, the 1,400-pound Kodiak bear and star of the movie “The Bear.” Also featured is a daredevil who appears to jump from a plane without a parachute.
“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” ABC at 8: Singer Randy Travis guest-stars when Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) accidentally turns the toddler she sits for into a grown man. A second repeat airs at 9.
“Saturday Morning Preview,” ABC at 8:30: Kids can get an early look at shows premiering Saturday morning, including “Recess,” from the creators of “Rugrats,” and an entertaining half-hour version of “101 Dalmatians.”
“Nash Bridges,” CBS at 10: Melinda Clarke guest-stars as a Chicago cop who shows up in San Francisco on the trail of a convicted murderer.
But there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Repeat.
Cable Calls
“She’s the One” (1996), MAX at 8: Jennifer Aniston (“Friends”), Cameron Diaz, Maxine Bahns and Mike McGlone star with Edward Burns, who scripted and directed the film. Unlikely couple Mickey (Burns) and Hope (Bahns) meet and marry in the first few minutes of the movie.
Mickey’s brother Francis (McGlone) is cheating on his wife (Aniston) and having an affair with Mickey’s ex-fiance, Heather (Diaz). In the middle is the boys’ dad (John Mahoney of “Frasier”).
This romantic comedy should be more fun. Instead, it looks a little too deeply into family dynamics and feminist issues.
“The Fan” (1996), SHOW at 8: Robert De Niro is the baseball fan from hell in this tense but uninviting thriller. De Niro plays a demented San Francisco Giants fan who goes to insane lengths to help get a star slugger (Wesley Snipes) out of a hitting slump.
“Grand Tour,” A&E at 7 and 11: Eat your heart out, Robin Leach. This new series explores the great travel spots of the world, the people who built them and the guests who have made them famous.
The first stop is Monaco and the fabulous Hotel de Paris.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Model Karen Duffy, musician John Tesh and singer Jon Bon Jovi.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Kevin Kline, actor-comedian Jamie Foxx and singer Sugar Ray.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Dana Carvey, TV critic Joe Queenan, Dee Dee Myers and radio personality Susan Carpenter McMillan. Repeat.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 2:05 a.m.: Actor-comedian Martin Short and author Margaret George. Repeat.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Model Fabio, Jonathan Katz (“Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist”) and musical guest Widespread Panic. Repeat.