‘Something So Right’ Now On Abc
“Something So Right,” the Jere Burns-Mel Harris comedy that wasn’t so right for NBC last season, makes its debut on ABC at 8:30, with a second episode at 9:30.
It’s a “Brady Bunch” blended-family sitcom for the 1990s. You may recall that the family tree is a little complicated.
Burns and Harris play newlyweds Jack Farrell and Carly Davis. It’s his second marriage, her third.
They have one child from each previous marriage - two girls (Marne Patterson, Emily Ann Lloyd) and a boy (Billy L. Sullivan).
Carly’s first two husbands (Barry Jenner, Michael Milhoan) and Jack’s first wife (Christine Dunford) are never far from the family’s apartment on New York City’s Upper West Side.
In the first of the two episodes, Jack’s attempt to market his own brand of red-hot barbecue sauce blows up in his face, leaving him at the mercy of Carly’s wealthy ex-husband Sheldon (Jenner). He’s willing to loan Jack the money to keep his dream alive, but he has an ulterior motive.
The second episode finds Jack’s ex (Dunford) and Carly’s other former husband (Milhoan) discovering a sexual attraction that Jack does everything he can to derail.
One of the things that works is that Burns’ character is a nice guy doing a good job of holding this fractured family together. That’s an attention-getting twist on his memorable role as Judd Hirsch’s ladykiller friend in NBC’s “Dear John.”
What’s still not right is Harris, the former “thirtysomething” star, who displays precious little flair for comedy.
Highlights
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: You get the feeling that this bright and funny comedy has Hollywood and everyone else at its beck and call.
Jamie (Helen Hunt) gets the urge to return to work when she runs into husband-and-wife political ramrods Mary Matalin and James Carville (guest-starring as themselves).
“Live From Lincoln Center,” KSPS at 7: Violin sensation Sarah Chang performs with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 8: From November, a handsome guy (guest-star Tom Wopat) asks Jill (Patricia Richardson) on a date after he assumes Tim (Tim Allen) is her brother.
In a new episode at 9, Wopat returns, showing up at the Taylors to install granite countertops. Jill doesn’t tell Tim about their past, and he interprets Wopat’s actions as a come-on.
“Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed,” Fox at 8: Another November sweeps special (one of Fox’s highest-rated ever) is the setup for a new version, “Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 2,” at 9.
I received blazing e-mail from magic fans offended by the first episode that some say crossed the line, especially by spoiling things for kids. If you want to preserve magic’s “magic” for your family, consider tuning elsewhere.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: Television has its “big events,” but there are no bigger laughs in prime time than when Bebe Neuwirth visits this series in the role of Frasier’s ex-wife, Lilith. She shows up in Seattle after her new husband has left her for a man.
Cable Calls
“A Mother’s Instinct” (1996), LIFE at 9: How many times has the plot been reworked?
Lindsay Wagner and Debrah Farentino star as two women who discover they’re married to the same man (John Terry), a scoundrel who has run off with the children from his first marriage. Trust your instincts.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Laura Dern, tennis star Venus Williams and singer Usher.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Kid scientists, actor Gabriel Byrne and musician Richie Sambora.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: From Aspen, Colo., Tom Arnold, Robbie Robertson and Teri Garr.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Marlo Thomas and former FBI profiler John Douglas.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Craig T. Nelson.