Nbc’s ‘Boston Common’ Needs Some Sprucing Up

Thu., March 21, 1996

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Comic Anthony Clark is a fish out of water in “Boston Common,” NBC at 8:30, a new comedy introduced in about as friendly a spot in the prime-time lineup that anyone could choose.

Snuggled between “Friends” and “Seinfeld,” the show will get the kind of exposure it needs.

Clark plays Boyd Pritchett, a Virginia handyman who drives his kid sister Wyleen (Hedy Burress) to Boston to begin college. Out of the blue, he decides to stay in Beantown and start a new life of his own.

At first blush, Boyd has all the charm and intelligence of “The Beverly Hillbillies”’ Jethro Bodine. But there’s more to this yokel than meets the eye.

He’s got a razor-sharp wit that makes short work of the many campus snobs he encounters.

What hurts the pilot is a redundancy that has to go if the series is to graduate to the ranks of NBC’s class comedies. How many times are we supposed to laugh at someone being rude or condescending to this guy just because he talks and dresses like a hick?

Likewise, one wonders how much more mileage the writers can get out of how mortified Wyleen is to have a big brother in the picture.

Clark is a bona fide talent. His stand-up routine is disarmingly funny, and perhaps it’s a shrewd move for NBC to develop a show that departs from the slick, urban formula of “Friends” and its many clones.

“Boston Common” takes over “The Single Guy” slot for a short run. “Single Guy” will return in a few weeks.

Highlights

“Basketball,” CBS at 4:30: With the NCAA field of 64 reduced to the “Sweet 16,” regional semifinal play begins with games in Minneapolis and Atlanta.

“Figure Skating,” ABC at 8: Coverage of the World Championships begins with the men’s and pairs’ finals. American Rudy Galindo, surprise winner at the U.S. Championships in San Jose, Calif., is among those challenging defending champion Elvis Stojko.

Earlier, at 4:30, ESPN will air a taped telecast of the men’s and pairs’ short programs.

“Friends,” NBC at 8: Joey’s (Matt LeBlanc) remarks to a soap opera magazine cost him his job on “Days of Our Lives.” Richard (Tom Selleck) and Ross (David Schwimmer) find out more than they want to know about Monica’s (Courteney Cox) and Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) past love lives. Chandler (Matthew Perry) is freaked out by his new roommate (Adam Goldberg).

“Martin,” FOX at 8:30: Martin and Gina (Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell) plan a romantic weekend alone at home. But they’re destined to comic distraction when Tommy (Tommy Ford) and Pam’s (Tichina Arnold) romantic woes get in the way.

Cable Calls

“The Life and Times of the Everly Brothers,” TNN at 5 and 9: Phil and Don Everly, who hit the top of the charts in 1957 with “Bye Bye Love,” have always been as popular with country fans as rock enthusiasts. Accordingly, Chet Atkins and Frankie Avalon are among the celebrities tapped for this entertaining profile.

“Top Gun” (1986), TBS at 5:05: The romance is a little sappy and the plot somewhat trite, but the airborne action is hair-raising, and Tom Cruise is so good to look at. Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards co-star.

“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN at 7:30: It’s the season premiere for baseball fans’ indispensable nightly companion. Karl Ravech and Gary Miller preview the 1996 season.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Peri Gilpin (“Frasier”), Dennis Miller (“Dennis Miller, Live”) and film critics Siskel and Ebert.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actors George Segal and Richard E. Grant.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35 a.m.: Actor Hugh Grant and director Martin Scorsese. Repeat.

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