Networks Bring Out Their Big Guns
It’s that time again.
“Finally,” you think, “something interesting on television. The Powers That Be at the networks care about me.”
Well, maybe. But what the PTB at the networks really care about is money. The rates advertisers pay for commercial time are determined by viewership during “sweeps” periods, and we’re entering one now.
Look for a little of everything: tearjerking and/or megabudget telemovies, celebrity-studded specials, cast reunions and sequels to television series. … Networks also spice up their regular series with such stunts as wedding plans (“Murphy Brown”), dream sequences (“Wings”), special guest stars (“Dave’s World”), preparation for spin-offs (“The Nanny”) and the like.
Telemovies
“Buffalo Girls” - Women are prominent in this story of the Old West, based on a novel by Larry McMurtry. Stars Anjelica Huston and Melanie Griffith. Today and Monday, CBS, 9 p.m.
“Virus” - Based on Dr. Robin Cook’s novel, “Outbreak,” about the Ebola virus in Los Angeles. Stars Nicollette Sheridan and William Devane. May 8, NBC, 9 p.m.
“Deadlocked - Escape From Zone 14” - Esai Morales and Nia Peeples star in the futuristic movie about prisoners who must wear collars that will explode if they move too far away from the center of their detention compound. May 9, Fox, 8 p.m.
“The Langoliers” - Patricia Wettig, Bronson Pinchot and Dean Stockwell star in the miniseries version of Stephen King’s story. May 14-15, ABC, 9 p.m.
“Naomi & Wynonna - Love Can Build A Bridge” - The miniseries about the Judds shows the struggles the women faced in their personal and professional journeys. Stars Kathleen York and Viveka Davis. May 14-15, NBC, 9 p.m.
“Liz - The Elizabeth Taylor Story” - Sherilyn Fenn (“Twin Peaks”) stars in the telemovie version of C. David Heymann’s unauthorized biography of the violet-eyed star. May 21-22, NBC, 9 p.m.
“The Face On The Milk Carton” - A teen recognizes the milk-carton photo of a lost 3-year-old as herself. Stars Kellie Martin, Jill Clayburgh and Edward Herrmann. May 24, CBS, 9 p.m.
TV series reunions
“My Favorite ‘Married”’ - The cast of “Married … With Children” - Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, Davide Faustino, Amanda Bearse and Ted McGinley - talk about their favorite moments from the last nine seasons. Today, Fox, 9:30 p.m.
“The Return Of Hunter” - Fred Dryer returns in the role of Hunter, with Barry Bostwick, Miguel Ferrer and Brian Keith. Today, NBC, 9 p.m.
“Cagney & Lacey - Together Again” - With a title like that, what more do you need to know? Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless star. Tuesday, CBS, 9 p.m.
“The Laverne & Shirley Reunion” - It’s been 20 years since those wacky gals (Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams) first appeared on “Happy Days” on their way to getting their own show. The reunion program also features Michael McKean, David L. Lander and Eddie Mekka. May 22, ABC, 8 p.m.
“The Brady Bunch Special” - The Brady kids - well, the actors who played the Brady kids - reminisce about the show and pay tribute to dad Robert Reed. May 24, CBS, 8 p.m.
Celebrity-studded specials
“An All-Star Word From Our Sponsor” - Phil Hartman (“Saturday Night Live,” “NewsRadio”) hosts a look at the commercials in which stars got their first big breaks. Includes a “countdown of the top 10 jingles.” What criteria are involved in that decision? Wednesday, NBC, 8 p.m.
“An Affectionate Look At Fatherhood” - Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”) hosts an affectionate and celebrity-studded look at fatherhood. Guests include Faith Ford (“Murphy Brown”), John Mahoney (“Frasier”), Karyn Parsons (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”), Alison La Placa (“The John Larroquette Show”) and Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”). Saturday, NBC, 8 p.m.
“TV’s Funniest Families The Kids” - This one features scenes from sitcoms that involve children. May 13, NBC, 10 p.m.
“The Ed Sullivan All-Star Comedy Special” - Mary Tyler Moore hosts an evening of comedy clips from Sullivan’s variety show and celebrities’ reminiscences about the man. Look for the routines of Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Lucille Ball. May 19, CBS, 8 p.m.
“All-Star Ultra TV Censored Bloopers” - What’s a sweeps period without Dick Clark? May 20, NBC, 10 p.m.
Theatrical releases
“The Bodyguard” - The popular Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner romantic drama makes its broadcast TV premiere. Today, ABC, 8 p.m.
“Jurassic Park” - The dinosaurs are much smaller on your TV than they were in the cinema, but they’re still pretty cool. Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern star. May 7, NBC, 8 p.m.
“A River Runs Through It” - Robert Redford’s film about family and fishing stars Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer and Tom Skerritt. May 17, CBS, 8:30 p.m.