‘Relativity’ Absolutely Could Go Places
Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, the talented team behind “thirtysomething” and “My So-Called Life,” are back with another series. As usual, it is slightly offbeat, smartly written and beautifully filmed.
“Relativity” (sneak previewing on ABC at 10 before moving to its regular Saturday at 10 time slot this weekend) begins in Rome, where 24-year-old Isabel Lukens (Kimberly Williams) has flown off and is considering a marriage proposal from her boyfriend (Randall Batinkoff).
She meets a fellow American named Leo Roth (David Conrad), who is in Italy celebrating his 26th birthday. It turns out they’re both from Los Angeles.
Not surprisingly, they have a fling. She vows that it’s over and they’ll never see each other again.
They return home, where we meet their families and watch as they finally break down and get together. He’s madly in love, but she’s fighting it.
Williams, who starred in the two “Father of the Bride” movies, is charming. Conrad is equally appealing. That makes it easy to take vicarious pleasure in seeing Isabel and Leo’s dizzying romance unfold. There’s both pathos and humor mixed in. She’s from a well-to-do family with a couple of nosy sisters, one of whom maintains a big secret. He’s working class, the elder son in a family getting over the recent death of his mother.
The obvious question is where to go from here. I see lots of possibilities. “Sisters” fans take note. Here’s a new reason to stay home Saturday nights.
Highlights
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Mel Brooks guest-stars as Paul’s (Paul Reiser) eccentric Uncle Phil. Also, just as pregnant Jamie (Helen Hunt) is about to quit her job, she’s offered an opportunity she can’t resist.
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue”) guest-stars as a mother who discourages her son (Trevor Riley) from following his dream of becoming a rock star. Joe Walsh of The Eagles appears as the owner of a record shop.
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: Dan and Roseanne’s fortunes appear to take a turn for the better when they hit the Illinois Lottery.
“Pretty Poison” (1996), FOX at 8: Grant Show (“Melrose Place”) and Wendy Benson star in this remake of the 1968 film (originally starring Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld). He’s a young arsonist on parole. She’s trouble. Unavailable for review.
“After Jimmy” (1996), CBS at 9: Bruce Davison and Meredith Baxter are parents of a teen suicide victim in this affecting family drama. In what might be considered a role reversal, he withdraws in depression and she buries herself in her work.
Strong performances make this an engrossing TV movie, albeit hard to watch for some viewers.
“Spin City,” ABC at 9:30: Manhattan magazine names Michael (Michael J. Fox) “Sexiest Man in New York,” an honor that turns him into a nervous wreck when it comes time to live up to his reputation at home with Ashley (Carla Gugino).
Parents’ Pick
“Shingalana,” DISN at 8:30: Words can hardly describe the beauty of this excellent nature film that airs over three consecutive nights.
It’s a documentary (partly re-enacted) that records the experiences of nature photographer John Varty; his fiancee, Gillian van Houten; and their partner, Elmon Mhlongo, as they prepare an injured lion cub for return to her African habitat. It’s great entertainment.