‘Cloned’ Looks Like Formula Entertainment
A worker (Elizabeth Perkins) at a biomedical facility in the year 2008 is shocked that her child, who died in a boating accident, has been cloned about a dozen times in NBC’s “Cloned” (Sunday at 9).
The cloning occurred in the name of medical science. A mad scientist (Alan Rosenberg) was trying to develop a method to create fast-growing organs for implantation.
The woman confronts her employers, tells skeptical FBI agents and begs her husband for help. Soon, she’s running for her life from greedy businessmen who think the cloned-organ business is a gold mine.
Missing from this film is a solid look at the ethical issues behind cloning. Rather, it’s a story about a worker who feels insulted and slighted by her employer and is out to get even.
“Cloned” smells of a formula down to the chase scenes.
Highlights
“C-16,” ABC tonight at 8: This tense new series stars Eric Roberts as the head of a special FBI squad. The agents stop terrorists, thwart kidnappers and deal with hostage situations while coping with personal demons and emotional turmoil.
In Part 1 (Part 2 airs next week at 8), the squad (which includes D.B. Sweeney, Morris Chestnut and Angie Harmon) investigates a kidnapping in which one of the parents may be responsible. Roberts’ John Olansky is distracted from his work over a fellow agent who has been undercover for too long.
“National Geographic,” NBC tonight at 8: “The Sonoran Desert: A Violent Eden” takes a look at the animal and plant life in one of the last wildernesses in the United States. Spectacular footage is paired with informative narration by Richard Kiley.
“Total Security,” ABC tonight at 9: This mismatched buddy crime drama (from “NYPD Blue” producers) serves up a dry James Remar and a loose James Belushi as private eyes.
Belushi’s Steve Wegman cons Remar’s Frank Cisco into giving him a job at Frank’s successful security company. Some catchy one-liners and unexpected “NYPD-Blue” twists give this series potential.
“Jenny,” NBC Sunday at 8:30: No politics, no social issues and no brainy dilemmas will be tackled in this lightweight comedy, featuring MTV’s Jenny McCarthy and Heather Paige Kent.
They are best friends transported from Utica, N.Y., to Los Angeles to live in Jenny’s late dad’s (George Hamilton) house and crack jokes about hair, makeup, clothes and hicks in the big city.
“Two Came Back” (1997), ABC Sunday at 9: Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina, The Teenage Witch”) and Jonathan Brandis (“Seaquest DSV”) team up as shipmates on a boat that’s lost at sea. They are with three other young folks, who are not nice.
So when the sharks come to get them, there’s not too much to mourn.
“Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story” (1997), CBS Sunday at 9: Maureen McCormick (“The Brady Bunch”) walks around in Barbara Mandrell’s shoes in this biopic that’s as sappy as a country-western ballad.
Fans will find some rewards, especially in the emotional comeback concert scenes and a look at Mandrell’s rough recovery from a car accident. (Mandrell performs the vocals and appears as herself during the finale.)
Cable Calls
“That Thing You Do!” (1996), HBO tonight at 8: This is Tom Hanks’ effort at directing, writing and co-starring. And he did a satisfactory job on this coming-of-age film about a ‘60s rock sensation called the Wonders. Great music.
“Hugo Pool” (1997), TMC tonight at 9: This slice of Southern California life about a pool cleaner (Alyssa Milano) has spunk and more cameos than a Zucker Bros. film.
Richard Lewis, Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Dempsey and Cathy Moriarty are among the stars that make this movie a hoot.
“Married to a Stranger” (1997), FAM Sunday at 7: Jaclyn Smith plays a woman who is bopped on the head and can only remember her life until the age of 16. Her husband (Robert Clohessy), daughter (Katharine Isobel) and mother (Louise Fletcher) feel sorry for themselves as she tries to relive her adolescence.
You know the routine: It’s weepy, wimpy and whiny.
“Gershwin on Ice,” A&E Sunday at 5 and 9: Here’s an ice-skating tribute to songwriters George and Ira Gershwin that features figure skater Dorothy Hamill. Songs such as “Rhapsody In Blue” and portions of “An American in Paris” and “Porgy and Bess” are staged to spins and jumps.
“Gold Coast” (1997), SHOW Sunday at 8: Elmore Leonard’s sardonic humor translates well into this keep-you-guessing tale about a mob wife (Marg Helgenberger) stuck with a no-intimacy clause in her late husband’s will.
David Caruso, as an ex-con who works days at an aquarium training dolphins, comes to her rescue. Hats off to Caruso, who delivers his best performance ever.
Movie Marquee
“Wonderful World of Disney,” ABC Sunday at 7: Disney’s “Toy Story” (1995) marks the return of this beloved series, which has aired at various times on ABC, NBC and CBS from 1954 to 1990.
Tonight, young folks will flock to the television to watch the inventive computer-animated tale about Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen) and Woody (voice of Tom Hanks).