Lead Actor Redeems ‘Axe Murderer’
Mike Myers (“Wayne’s World,” 1992) stars in the broadcast premiere of “So I Married an Axe Murderer” (FOX at 8), a 1993 comedy that shows flashes of brilliance but misfires more often than not.
Yes, it is about a man who marries a woman (Nancy Travis) who may be a serial killer. That’s a morbidly funny idea, but one that never quite carries the film.
Fortunately, Myers manages to juice things up in a dual role, playing an eccentric Scottish-American named Stuart Mackenzie and his son Charlie, a San Francisco poet.
The Mackenzie family, at the expense of anyone and anything Scottish, raises laugh after laugh. Anthony LaPaglia as Charlie’s pal, a Los Angeles police officer, is funny, too, as is Phil Hartman in a cameo.
Charlie marries, despite warnings from his mother (Brenda Fricker), a devoted Weekly World News reader who is convinced that his fiancee Harriet matches the description of a notorious ax murderess.
Myers makes the most out of a script that runs dry toward the end. It’s one thing to be goofy, but Myers proves he has a knack for turning a kooky character into someone who is more than a running joke.
By the time he’s finished with both Stuart and Charlie, you almost believe they’re normal and that it’s the world that’s out of whack.
Highlights
“National Geographic’s Heart of Africa,” KSPS at 7; Tuesday and Wednesday at 7: If you think Africa is one big jungle, tune in this spectacular three-part special. You’ll see the wonders of Africa’s mountains, rain forests and pristine lakes.
Part 1 explores animals inhabiting Virunga National Park in Zaire.
“MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis” (1994), ABC at 9: Ingenious MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) is as lovable as ever, using his smarts rather than brute force to get himself out of deadly predicaments.
Mac, his favorite absent-minded archaeology professor (Brian Blessed) and a colleague of the professor (Sophie Ward) escape some hair-raising situations in their search for the treasure of the lost city of Atlantis. This lightning-fast adventure movie is a fun ride.
“Awake to Danger” (1995), NBC at 9: This plot is so hackneyed it’s become a joke. A woman with amnesia (she’s come out of a monthslong coma) fears that she’s remembering that an important man in her life is a killer. In this case, the woman is Tori Spelling (“Beverly Hills, 90210”).
How’s that for two good reasons to tune out? “Murphy Brown,” CBS at 9: Murphy (Candice Bergen) dreams that she’s confronted by former lovers. Scott Bakula, Jay Thomas, Robin Thomas and Julius Carry reprise their roles as Murphy’s past love interests.
Cable Calls
“U.S. Olympic Trials: Call to Glory,” ESPN at 6: See how the U.S. team took shape in this recap of competition in track and field, gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, swimming, diving, cycling and equestrian events. Also, how the basketball “Dream Team” rolled its way to Atlanta.
“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” HBO at 10: From Atlanta, a profile of Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee. Also included is a visit with U.S. heavyweight weight-lifter Mark Henry.
Olympic gold medalists Mark Spitz and Bruce Jenner are featured.
“Mara of the Wilderness” (1965), TNT at 10: Here’s a treat for people who love bad movies. Linda Saunders plays a woman raised by wolves who saves a lost anthropologist (Adam West).
If this stinker doesn’t suit your fancy, try 1989’s “Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death” (COM at 2 a.m.), starring Shannon Tweed and Adrienne Barbeau.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Talk-show host Conan O’Brien and singer Celine Dion.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Lou Diamond Phillips and comedian Wali Collins.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Musician Pete Townshend, Nick Turturro (“NYPD Blue”) and music guest Dishwalla. Repeat.