Strong Acting Helps Buoy ‘Party Of Five’
FOX’s “Party of Five” wraps up its second season with a moving two-hour-long episode at 8.
If you caught it last week, you know that Charlie (Matthew Fox) is on the brink of losing the family’s restaurant, thanks to his mishandling of his affair with a suddenly vindictive Kathleen (Brenda Strong).
The prospect of losing their late father’s business sends everyone into a tailspin.
Bailey (Scott Wolf) questions his future with Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Julia (Neve Campbell) and Justin’s (Michael Goorjian) unsettled relationship hits the rocks.
Claudia (Lacey Chabert) is so depressed she takes comfort in her violin. Only baby Owen seems unaffected.
As you watch the Salingers react to this crisis, you’re reminded how the writers have stayed true to the premise that these guys lost their parents two years ago in a car accident. They are emotionally wounded, and that influences their relationships within and without the family.
The season-ender is powerfully acted, though it lapses at times into talky laments about how hard it is to live and love.
Jake (Carroll O’Connor) plays a critical role in how things are resolved. And many fans will be pleased to see Kirsten (Paula Devicq) re-enter the picture.
“Party of Five” has been renewed for 22 episodes next season. That’s the best news I’ve heard this season.
Highlights
“Live From Lincoln Center,” KSPS at 7: Patricia Johnson, Michael Hayes and Carlo Scibelli star in the New York City Opera’s performance of Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow.”
“JAG,” NBC at 8: Meg (Tracey Needham) is wounded in an assassin’s attempt on the life of Boris Yeltsin, who has entered the United States for a secret treaty signing. Oliver North makes a return engagement as the mysterious “Ollie,” who assists Rabb (David James Elliott) in the search for the shooter.
“The Faculty,” ABC at 8:30: The bad news is that Shelly (Constance Shulman) is in a car accident. The good news is that the other driver is a plastic surgeon who offers breast enlargement in lieu of damages.
Flynn (Meredith Baxter) tries to persuade her pal that beauty is only skin deep.
“My Very Best Friend” (1996), CBS at 9: Jaclyn Smith plays a psychopathic model who is willing to murder to find the happiness missing in her life. Jill Eikenberry, her best friend, is the happy wife and mother who becomes the victim in a sick scheme. CBS didn’t make the movie available for review.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 9: Included is a report on a 1992 New Mexico vehicular-homicide case in which lawyers for the defendant claimed the driver was suffering from an incapacitating headache. Prepare to be outraged.
“PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: The hour includes a Dr. Nancy Snyderman report on chronic fatigue. But will people who most want to see it still be awake?
“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: In a provocative episode, the investigation into the death of a gay man focuses on his jealous boyfriend. But the trail takes a surprise turn that implicates the dead man’s boss (Peter Riegert), who was sexually harassing him and later fired him for not giving in to his advances.
Finally, investigators consider yet another suspect: the boss’s wife (Mary Beth Hurt).
Cable Calls
“Ballot Measure 9” (1994), MAX at 8: You’ll see passionate rhetoric and a few ugly confrontations in this documentary chronicling the battle over a 1992 Oregon initiative that would have repealed laws protecting the rights of homosexuals.
“Dick Vitale’s Prime Time Performers,” ESPN at 5: Oh, am I tired of Vitale’s rantings. The motor-mouthed commentator names his roster of top college basketball players for the season. No thanks. This guy is the best argument for the mute button I can think of.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Emma Thompson, director John Waters and singer Patti LaBelle. Repeat.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Model Naomi Campbell and musician Tim McGraw.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor-comedian Adam Sandler, movie critic Roger Ebert and musical guest Chris Jagger. Repeat.