Settle In For The Golden Globe Awards
A galaxy of stars shines bright for the “55th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (NBC Sunday at 8). Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Joe Mantegna, Madonna and Dick Clark help dole out accolades.
Followers of the Golden Globes will tell you that these awards often act as a precursor for the Academy Awards. Often, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which determines the winners, rewards many of the same films and actors who end up receiving Oscars in the spring.
This year, the famous folks associated with “Amistad,” “The Boxer,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Titanic” (which received eight nominations) and “L.A. Confidential” dominate the list of nominees.
Jodie Foster (“Contact”) and Jessica Lange (“A Thousand Acres”) compete in the best actress category; Matt Damon (“Good Will Hunting”), Daniel Day-Lewis (“The Boxer”) and Leonardo DiCaprio (“Titanic”) vie for best actor.
In the television categories, “Seinfeld” is up against “3rd Rock from the Sun,” and newcomer “Ally McBeal” has a chance to receive a nod. “ER” weighs in with seven nominations.
So, get the popcorn, sit back and watch the stars parade by on the small screen. The envelope, please.
Highlights
“Cracker,” ABC tonight at 9: The gritty crime drama, featuring Robert Pastorelli as the acid-tongued, psycho-babbling Gerry “Fitz” Fitzgerald, kicks off on its new night and time slot with a frightening tale about a serial sniper.
Fitz is at his best when coping with his personal life. In this two-part episode, his wife confesses to a betrayal.
Earlier at 8 on ABC, “Nothing Sacred,” about an unconventional priest, moves to Saturdays. In the hour, Father Ray (Kevin Anderson) receives unwelcome help from the bishop.
“Masterpiece Theatre” KSPS Sunday at 8: This three-part modern tale of romance and intrigue starts out slowly but eventually builds to a powerhouse tale of infidelity.
The story centers on a young surgeon (Robson Green) who falls for a management consultant (Francesca Annis). The problem is she’s married to the surgeon’s arrogant boss (Michael Kitchen).
“Nightmare Street” (1998), ABC Sunday at 9: Sherilyn Fenn (“Twin Peaks”) is hit by a truck, and lands in a parallel universe. Only an emergency-room doctor (Thomas Gibson) believes she’s in the wrong world. (Everyone else thinks she’s schizophrenic.)
It’s fortunate doctors in the parallel world make house calls so we can watch Gibson help this damsel in distress take back her life while munching on Chinese food in her apartment. This yuppie story holds few surprises.
“Best Friends For Life” (1998), CBS Sunday at 9: Gena Rowlands and Linda Lavin play best friends whose lives are thrown into a tizzy after their respective husbands die.
Lavin’s character contends with the woes of moving on with her life, and Rowlands’ Harriet has to cope not only with moving on but also with her failing health. You’ve seen it all before.
Have hankies ready for the many highly charged scenes.
Parents’ Pick
“Wonderful World of Disney,” ABC Sunday at 7: “Ruby Bridges” is recommended viewing for kids of all ages. It examines race issues from the point of view of a 6-year-old and demonstrates how young people can rise above prejudice and bigotry.
The touching, fact-based story recalls the tumultuous 1960s, when federal authorities wanted to integrate the New Orleans school system. Bridges (Chaz Monet) was one of several bright black children chosen to attend an all-white school.
At the last moment, all of the black parents but Bridges’ decide against it, and the youngster embarks on the educational adventure alone.
Daily she’s escorted to school by U.S. marshals who must march her through a raucous crowd of protesters - some threatening her life. Young folks will have lots of questions about why anyone would ever deny a child an education.
Cable Calls
“Jerry Maguire” (1996), SHOW tonight at 8: Tom Cruise won high praise for his portrayal of a sports agent with a heart of gold and a tough client (Cuba Gooding Jr.). It’s fastpaced, with snappy dialogue.
“Celebrity Weddings In Style,” LIFE Sunday at 10: Marlee Matlin, Ian Ziering, Joely Fisher and Kelsey Grammer are among the famous folks who recall their weddings.
Wedding planners give tips. Fashion designers discuss creating a gown.
“The Defenders: Choice of Evils” (1998), SHOW Sunday at 10: Beau Bridges, E.G. Marshall and Martha Plimpton have reassembled for another installment of “The Defenders,” an update of the 1960s series.
The legal eagles take on the confusing case of an investigative journalist (James McDaniel, “NYPD Blue”) wrongly accused of murder. The journalist manages to escape from jail and then is involved in yet another murder.
As usual, the courtroom scenes shine as the Preston family lawyers try to make sense of a case filled with gray areas.