Pair Give A Boost To ‘Caroline In City’
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9:30, gets a touch of tinsel from a real-life movie maker and a big-screen star in an episode that plays on Caroline’s and Annie’s secret dreams of becoming actresses.
Director John Landis (“Animal House,” “Trading Places”) plays himself, as does actor Robbie Benson (“One on One,” “Modern Love”).
When Caroline (Lea Thompson) and Annie (Amy Pietz) discover that Landis is filming a movie in their neighborhood, they make a bid to become extras. Man-crazy Annie is ecstatic when she finds out that her idol, Benson, has the lead role.
Safe to say, their experience is anything but uneventful in this unavailable-for-review episode.
I’ve never been too high on this comedy, which owes most of its ratings success to its place on the lineup. It’s not Thompson or Pietz that keeps me coming back. I’ve said before that Malcolm Gets as Caroline’s neurotic and sarcastic assistant is one of the bright surprises of the season.
What’s turned into an even bigger bonus has been the staff and management of Remo’s, Caroline and her pals’ favorite Italian restaurant. Lately, writers are handing Remo (Tom La Grua) the show’s biggest laughs.
Highlights
“Friends,” NBC at 8: Ross and Rachel (David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston) have a lovers’ spat when they find out they have different visions of their future together. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that her sheltered childhood kept her protected from classics with unhappy endings.
“Bermuda Triangle” (1996), ABC at 9: There’s not much I can tell you about this unavailable-for-review TV-movie about a family shipwrecked on a mysterious island “filled with surprises, terrors and magical adventures.”
It’s populated by people sucked into the “Bermuda Triangle.” The obscure cast seems to have appeared from some mysterious place.
Sam Behrens and Susanna Thompson star.
“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: Jerry is annoyed when a salesman (Harry Van Gorkum) offers his employee discount to get a date with Elaine. George suspects he’s getting an unbelievably low parking rate because his car is being rented to a hooker.
Parents’ Pick
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971), USA at 8: Gene Wilder takes a rainbow and sprinkles it with dew in this kid-pleaser about the owner of candy factory. His tour turns a little nasty - the kids love the villainy - and the music by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse will keep them humming.