Nbc Takes Covers Off Rebuilt Mattresses
Count yourself lucky if Victoria Corderi’s report on “Dateline NBC” at 10 is about someone else. If you own a rebuilt mattress, you shouldn’t miss what she’s found out.
Millions of Americans own them. And why not? In stores they look like new, feel fine and sometimes sell for hundreds of dollars less than new mattresses. But what’s inside?
In many cases you don’t want to know. This eye-opening investigation exposes how, in some cases, “rebuilding” only means tearing off the cover of a used mattress, stuffing padding from other used mattresses inside, turning the cover inside-out and sewing it back on.
Some of those used mattress are sold to rebuilders by people who pick them out of people’s garbage.
Lab tests of reconditioned mattresses found traces of urine, blood, fungi, dormant bed bugs and fecal bacteria, not to mention dirt and dust. It’s unpleasant even to think about.
People with respiratory ailments risk serious danger if they sleep on one of these contaminated mattresses.
Corderi catches manufacturers red-handed, confronts fast-talking salesmen and grills one health inspector who seems less than concerned. Only 19 states have laws regulating the manufacture and sale of rebuilt mattresses.
Here’s an example of a good consumer story that’s well-reported. It’s made all the more dramatic by Corderi’s interview with a young mother who purchased a tainted mattress for her young daughter 18 months ago.
Not long after the rebuilt bedding arrived, the child began getting sick. She has been diagnosed with asthma.
Highlights
“Rent-a-Kid” (1995), FOX at 8: Leslie Nielsen plays the owner of a rental center who becomes the temporary head of an orphanage. You can see where this one is headed from the get-go.
Typically zany performances by Nielsen and co-star Christopher Lloyd help, but this one can only appeal to the kids. My advice: Rent a movie.
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: Nana Mary (Shelly Winters) visits with a box of toys that triggers childhood memories for Roseanne and Jackie. Dan, meanwhile, reluctantly opens his manly poker game to gay partners Leon and Scott (Martin Mull, Fred Willard). Repeat.
“The Drew Carey Show,” ABC at 8:30: Drew’s day in court arrives, and he chooses to defend himself against his sexual-harassment suit. His pals show up to testify on his behalf. Repeat.
“Sinatra” (1992), CBS at 9: In concluding Part 2, Sinatra (Philip Casnoff) is plagued by mob associations, plays the bad boy in Hollywood and chases personal demons with booze. Rod Steiger plays mobster Sam Giancana.
The movie makes Sinatra out to be, uh, kind of a jerk. But executive producer Tina Sinatra apparently did everything she could to make it look like it wasn’t her dad’s fault.
Casnoff is terrific, and the music (Frank Jr. did the vocals) is cool.
Cable Calls
“Cracker: Brotherly Love” (1996), A&E at 6 and 10: Even though Robbie Coltrane is this British crime series’ star, fans know that the supporting cast and masterful scripts make this top-drawer entertainment.
In “Brotherly Love” (the first of three new episodes premiering in June, August and September), police psychologist Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald investigates a prostitute’s murder. But a conflict between officers Penhaligon and Beck (Geraldine Somerville, Lorcan Cranitch) proves to be equally engrossing.
The title alludes to the murder suspect and his brother, a priest who may be involved in a cover-up.
“The Stranger Within” (1990), LIF at 9: Rick Schroder turns in another of his sluggish performances in an otherwise intriguing tale of a young man who returns to a small town 16 years after being abducted as a small child. Kate Jackson plays a suspicious mom.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Robin Wright, comedian Billy Connolly and musical group Los Lobos.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Dennis Franz (“NYPD Blue”), author Joe Queenan and singer Gloria Estefan.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Comedian Rita Rudner and musical guest Rosie Flores.