‘Grand Ole Opry’ Celebration Glitters With Stars
To country music die-hards, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry ranks with Mount Rushmore and the Washington Monument as a part of the national trust. After previewing “The Grand Ole Opry 70th Anniversary Celebration” (CBS at 9), I’m inclined to agree.
There’s more to country music than sequins and rhinestones. It’s also a part of American culture.
And this spectacular two-hour special is a fitting tribute to an institution that’s more popular today than any time in its hallowed hoedown history.
Dolly Parton opens the show from the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Opry before it moved in 1974 to the current Opry House. What unfolds is an inspired observance that combines live performances, interviews and film montages of country greats past and present who have graced the Opry stage.
Clint Black, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, Travis Tritt and Hank Williams Jr. are among the scores of stars who turn out.
The theme-driven evening includes a tip of the hat to such legends as blue-grass pioneer Bill Monroe, singers George Jones and Hank Williams and comedian Minnie Pearl.
My advice to country fans: Watch the “Opry 70th,” tape it and cherish it.
Highlights
“Friends,” NBC at 8: The hit comedy serves up a curve ball as Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) dates a guy named Russ who looks a lot like Ross. David Schwimmer performs in a dual role. Also, Joey (Matt LaBlanc) gets a job on “Days of Our Lives,” but with strings attached.
“Murder, She Wrote,” CBS at 8: Jessica (Angela Lansbury), lecturing in Japan, delivers a computer disk to an American motorcycle driver who is subsequently murdered. Pat Morita and Tom Wopat (“Cybill”) guest-star.
“Mystery!” KSPS at 8: Jeremy Brett’s final appearances as Sherlock Holmes begins with “The Three Gables.” Brett, who died this fall, filmed four “Holmes” tales that will air in successive weeks.
In “Three Gables,” the master sleuth is hired to thwart a rich widow’s (Claudine Auger) attempt to cover up a murder.
“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: The series proves that American audiences aren’t too sophisticated to laugh at gags about horse flatulence when Kramer (Michael Richards) takes the reins of a friend’s horse-drawn carriage concession.
And in another bawdy storyline, Elaine (Julia LouisDreyfus) is frustrated when her new boyfriend shows no interest in a particular sex act. (Wait for the punch line delivered in the show’s final credits.)
“Falling Down” (1993), ABC at 9: Michael Douglas starred in this violent, calculated thriller about a stressedout city dweller fed up with the decaying social order who goes on a shooting spree.
Robert Duvall is the cop trying to disarm him. Douglas’ portrayal is fascinating, but the plot burns out quickly, and the ending is a real letdown.
“ER,” NBC at 10: The ER is overrun by neglected children found in a tenement building. Red Buttons guest-stars as the husband of a terminally ill woman treated by Carter (Noah Wyle). Green’s (Anthony Edwards) chances of reconciling with his wife grow dimmer.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Sally Field and actor Kevin Nealon.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor-radio personality Jay Thomas.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Cynthia Stevensen (“Hope & Gloria”) and etiquette expert Eric Weiss.