‘Mad’ Tries Parenting In Single Take

Last season I speculated on how the birth of Paul and Jamie’s daughter would change “Mad About You” (NBC at 8). Would baby Mabel play a major role? Or would she be vaguely in the background like Murphy Brown’s rarely seen Avery?

I should have known the show’s producers would stay true to the series’ theme of exploring a modern marriage and make parenthood a key aspect of Paul and Jamie’s life.

But who could have imagined tonight’s inspired episode? The Buchmans put Mabel to bed, employing what many parents will recognize as the so-called “Ferber” technique. Basically, it means letting the baby cry it out.

This half-hour, shot in one take outside Mabel’s room and uninterrupted by commercials, begins with the couple determined to tune out the baby’s cries of protest. But it’s not easy. And their reactions to her anguish make them doubt their parenting abilities.

Funny and heartwarming, it touches the uncertainties all good parents face. We try so hard to do what’s right. But sometimes the best we can do is a shot in the dark - our best guess at what’s right for our children.

Outstanding performances by Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser make this a most memorable outing.

Highlights

“The Beverly Hillbillies” (1993), FOX at 8: Talk about a bad idea. This update of the classic sitcom is a bigger bust than Jethro Bodine’s career as an astronaut. A funny and talented cast - Jim Varney, Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin, Dabney Coleman, Rob Schneider - is wasted on a script too dumb to work on any level.

“Soul Man,” ABC at 8:30: It’s not exactly a holly-jolly Christmas for Mike (Dan Aykroyd) when an ill-tempered department store elf (Mark Linn-Baker, “Perfect Strangers”) pays a visit and threatens to jump off the church roof.

“NewsRadio,” NBC at 8:30: In a riotous episode, Jimmy (Stephen Root) agrees to re-hire Matthew (Andy Dick) if the staff helps him win a bet with Ted Turner by winning a holiday talent contest. Dave (Dave Foley) surprises his colleagues with his secret talents but is shocked when he finds the competition includes a former nemesis (Kevin McDonald).

“Michael Hayes,” CBS at 9: Helen Slater guest stars as Hayes’ former lover, a prosecutor brought in to help convict a notorious mobster (Seth Jaffe). “Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: The series returns to its annual theme of Tim (Tim Allen) trying to win the neighborhood holiday lighting contest. This year, there’s a move afoot to limit power. On a serious counternote, Jill (Patricia Richardson) copes with a Christmas that includes a new beau (George Coe) for her widowed mom (Polly Holliday).

“Dellaventura,” CBS at 10: Anthony (Danny Aiello) investigates an alleged miracle in a neighborhood church, searches for a missing 10-year-old and tries to nab a toy thief.

Cable Calls

“Biography,” A&E at 9: More on the Amistad Revolt of 1839 in “Cinque: Freedom Fighter.” It’s the story of Joseph Cinque (born Sengbe Pieh and renamed by slave traders), leader of the Amistad mutiny. Kidnapped in Sierre Leone at 26, he was taken to Cuba and sold to a Spanish plantation owner. He was being transported to the United States when he led fellow slaves in overpowering their captors aboard the Amistad.

“House of Style,” MTV at 10: Model Rebecca Romijn is the new host as the series looks back on the year in style. Cindy Crawford makes an appearance with a tribute to slain designer Gianni Versace. Members of Jane’s Addiction comment on their personal tastes.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Comedian Don Rickles and singer Celine Dion.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Pam Grier, singer James Brown and actor Tom Everett Scott.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Ken Follett, Steve Harvey, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Clint Bolick of the Institute for Justice.