‘Mike Wallace’ Recalls On-The-Air Career
One of television’s most colorful newsmen reflects on his career in “Mike Wallace Remembers” (CBS at 9).
Wallace wasn’t always a journalist, you know. A good part of this enlightening hour is spent reviewing footage from his days as a radio announcer, TV pitchman (hawking everything from Phillip Morris cigarettes to Golden Fluffo shortening) and television actor.
Wallace (born Myron Leon Wallace, he took the name “Mike” from a radio show he once did titled “For the Love of Mike”) shares many personal memories, including his anguish over the 1962 death of his oldest son, Peter. He also talks candidly about his bouts with depression and the comfort he has received from columnist Art Buchwald and writer William Styron, each also once stricken by the disorder.
Barbara Walters calls Wallace the best interviewer in the history of television. And the clips are ample evidence she is right.
Great Wallace moments include conversations with Salvador Dali (Wallace calls it his “weirdest”), Louis Farrakhan (“the loudest”), Shirley MacLaine, Malcolm X, Barbra Striesand, Nancy Reagan and a dozen or so more.
This is, however, an unabashed tribute. Don’t look for any critics to show up here.
Why no comments from Dan Rather, Ed Bradley or other “60 Minutes” heavy hitters? Could the rumors be true that Mike isn’t the most popular guy in the office?
He confesses as much in an aside that he’s trying to mellow in his later years.
Highlights
“Gymnastics,” ABC at 8: The network continues its taped coverage of the World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland.
On tap are the individual apparatus finals.
“Living Single,” FOX at 8: The series launches a fifth season on the morning after Synclaire (Kim Coles) and Overton’s (John Henton) wedding. Mel Jackson makes his series debut as songwriter Tripp Williams, Khadijah (Queen Latifah) and Regine’s (Kim Fields Freeman) new roommate.
“Between Brothers,” FOX at 8:30: Kadeem Hardison (“A Different World”) heads the cast of this familiar sitcom about two brothers (Hardison and Dondre T. Whitfield) sharing an apartment. Tommy Davidson and Kelly Perine liven things up with some crazy antics. Not a bad first outing.
“Frasier,” NBC at 8:30: I would be remiss if I did not recommend this hilarious repeat in which Niles poses as Daphne’s husband to fool an old boyfriend (Scott Atkinson). That means Frasier has to pretend to be Niles; Roz becomes Maris and … It’s just too funny.
“413 Hope Street,” FOX at 9: An urban community service center is the setting for this new drama that sports a likable cast but could use a more imaginative script. Richard Roundtree stars as the head of 413 Hope Street.
How he got there is the best part of the premiere.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: As promised, ABC adds a second night of the venerable newsmagazine. It also will air Friday in its regular 10 p.m. time slot.
“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: Correspondents Harold Dow and Bill Lagattuta follow the FBI and Los Angeles police in a 48-hour period during which seven Los Angeles banks were robbed. Included is a look at how banks are using new technology to deter robbers.
Cable Calls
“Football,” ESPN at 5: Alabama meets Vanderbilt.
“The Longest Yard” (1974), TNT at 5: Pro quarterback Burt Reynolds lands in a prison where the warden (Eddie Albert) has a football fetish. A lot of humorous character development leads up to the big game between the cons and the guards.
Despite a multitude of cliches, it still scores.