‘Ride’ Flirts With Corniness, Doesn’t Falter

Mon., June 24, 1996

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Craig T. Nelson shines as Hayden Fox on ABC’s “Coach.” But I’ve always enjoyed him more in dramatic roles. He brings his serious acting skills to 1994’s “Ride With the Wind” (ABC at 9), a warm, sentimental story of a down-and-out motorcycle racer who gets a new lease on life.

Nelson plays Frank Shelby, who loves to ride almost as much as he likes to drink. And that’s a lot. But his career has been on the skids since a freak accident cost him a national championship years ago. Helen Shaver co-stars as the single mom of a young boy, Danny (Bradley Pierce), who is battling leukemia.

Although the plot is self-evident - Frank and Danny meet by chance and become supportive friends - there are plenty of affecting touches that hold the story together. Of course, it’s all headed for the big race that Frank is determined to win as a way of showing Danny that one must never give up the fight.

The script, which executive producer Nelson co-wrote, never fully justifies why Shelby has bottomed out. But Nelson makes up for that with his tight little character sketch. Shaver chips in with a nice performance, but it’s Pierce who stands out most in a likable, spunky turn.

Call “Ride With the Wind” gushy, mushy and corny. That’s OK. In the hands of a lesser cast, it would be just that and worse. But it has its poignant moments too, and they make it worthwhile.

Highlights

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” NBC at 8: Will and Carlton (Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro) are in heaven on their double date with Sandra and Tiffany (Garcelle Beauvais, Tamala Jones). The girls are up for a game of “strip Scrabble.” Then, Tiffany’s former boyfriend, Mad Dog, shows up and spoils things. A second “Prince” repeat follows at 8:30.

“Ned and Stacey,” FOX at 8: The joke’s on Ned (Thomas Haden Church) in this fun rerun in which the smug businessman fears that the new guy at the agency is out to get his job.

“Murphy Brown,” CBS at 9: Charles Kimbrough shows why he’s an important catalyst in the newsroom series in this laugh-filled repeat. Stan Lansing (Garry Marshall) talks Jim (Kimbrough) into being lamebrained Miller’s (Christopher Rich) mentor.

The network chief persuades Jim to take on the task by reminding him how Eric Sevareid took him under his wing. Jim is crushed to find out that he was once considered as hapless as Miller.

“Singles” (1992), NBC at 9: You might think of this as a grunge version of “Friends.” Six twentysomething Seattle friends search for romance and fulfillment. It’s a gentle, oddly paced comedy. It may not leave you howling with laughter, but it often rings with familiarity and honesty. Matt Dillon, Bridget Fonda, Campbell Scott, Bill Pullman and Kyra Sedgwick star.

“L.A. Firefighters,” FOX at 9: Erin and J.B. (Christine Elise, Brian Leckner) narrowly escape a burning building. How many times will this happen in this series’ run? Meanwhile, the crew is called off to Malibu to battle a wildfire.

“Chicago Hope,” CBS at 10: Mandy Patinkin returned to the series as Dr. Jeffrey Geiger for this January episode in which he assists with a heart transplant. But his nasty exchange with Austin’s (Christine Lahti) ex-husband (Ron Silver) is the hour’s highlight.

Cable Calls

“Tennis,” HBO at 7: The cable channel begins its annual fortnight of Wimbledon tennis. Live coverage begins at 9 a.m. with a nightly wrap-up at 7 p.m.

“X Games,” ESPN at 9:30: From Rhode Island, it’s the second time around for the games. They are lesser sports, but no less exciting (at times, anyway) than a lot of what passes as “professional” sports.

Day 1 of the extreme competition includes stunt bicycle, sky surfing and my favorite, street luge.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35 : Model Christie Brinkley and Olympic runner Michael Johnson.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Conan O’Brien (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) and music group Blues Traveler.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m. : Actress Marilu Henner, Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) and wine expert Aldo Rafanelli. Repeat.

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