Nbc’s ‘Friends’ Takes A Worthwhile Chance

Thu., March 28, 1996

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Give the producers of NBC’s “Friends” credit for clever casting and writing.

Tonight at 8, Chandler (Matthew Perry) wants his strange new roommate Eddie (Adam Goldberg) out, but he won’t budge.

Goldberg has been a breath of fresh air the past couple of weeks. It’s nice to see the show take a chance now and then, and this one works. Meanwhile, unemployed Joey (Matt LeBlanc) can’t pay his bills.

Highlights

“Murder, She Wrote,” CBS at 8: In a first-run episode, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) goes looking for the truth when a Cabot Cove deputy sheriff (Louis Herthum) is accused of planting evidence in a murder and is subsequently charged in the killing.

“Boston Common,” NBC at 8:30: When Joy’s (Traylor Howard) professor-boyfriend Jack (Vincent Ventresca) weighs an offer from Stanford, Boyd (Anthony Clark) concocts a scheme to get him out of Beantown.

“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: This repeat proves “Seinfeld” can get away with anything. It’s the one where Kramer’s career as a hansom cab driver is cut short by a severe flatulence problem. Not his - the horse’s.

“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: Feeling pressure from “Dateline” and other more timely newsmagazines, “48 Hours” abandons its one-topic format in favor of shorter segments and late-breaking news items.

Cable Calls

“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), TNT at 5: The sci-fi classic gets lots of play - even on PBS during pledge drives - but tonight it’s shown in letter-box format, followed at 8 by its less-impressive 1984 sequel, “2010.” Not a bad double feature alternative to network fare.

“The Babe” (1992), USA at 8: John Goodman (“Roseanne”) can be forgiven for not quite filling Babe Ruth’s spikes. But what brings this film down is how it clings to the nostalgic, forgiving William Bendix-style vision of the legendary ballplayer.

“Basketball,” ESPN at 6: The NCAA’s “Big Dance” may be this weekend, but there’s plenty on the line in tonight’s National Invitation Tournament championship game.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the St. Joseph’s Hawks battle for the NIT title.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Jim Carrey and singer Tom Jones. Repeat.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Don Johnson, Jenny McCarthy (“Singled Out”) and musical group No Doubt.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actors George Wendt and Michael Rappaport and musical guest Blur. Repeat.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.