Forget The Plot And Enjoy The Acting

Mon., Feb. 10, 1997

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

Mary Tyler Moore and Edward Asner, together again, star in “Payback,” an ABC movie at 9.

If ever two stars were able to turn a mediocre script into a compelling drama, this would be the case. They’re so good together you forget that the story is worn movie-of-the-week fare.

Moore plays Kathryn Stanfill, a restaurant owner whose testimony as the only witness to a fatal police beating results in three officers having their careers destroyed.

One of them, Sgt. Brian Kaleen (Fredric Lane), is a callous bully who sets out to terrorize Stanfill into recanting her statement.

Lane’s bad cop is so forced you can’t take his performance seriously. And you have little trouble guessing that virtuous Stanfill will prevail.

Yet Moore and Asner, who plays a weary but dedicated internal affairs officer, create real flesh-and-blood characters.

She’s always close to cracking under the pressure, but yet not intimidated. He exhibits a motionless energy that makes you believe he might be able to bend steel in his bare hands.

Both Moore and Asner have lent their talents to more notable TV movies. What they accomplish here is, in its own way, just as impressive.

Highlights

“3rd Rock from the Sun,” NBC at 8: NBC knows a crowd-drawing geek when it sees one. Hence, the network repeats this hourlong episode featuring a guest appearance by the NBA’s Mr. (or Ms.) Congeniality, Dennis Rodman.

“Close Call: Cheating Death II,” FOX at 9: FOX airs the second of its morbid specials of people in mishaps - helicopter crashes, ski disasters, jockeys flying off horses - that by all odds should have ended their lives. Isn’t it peculiar that these terrifying accidents are presented as stories with happy endings? Then again, we slow down as we drive by car accidents.

“Love’s Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder” (1997), NBC at 9: Holly Marie Combs (“Picket Fences”) and David Lipper star as teenage lovers Diane Zamora and David Graham charged with murdering a teenager with whom he had an affair.

The fact-based story strikes an unsettling chord. Zamora and Graham were exemplary students accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy, respectively.

“The American Experience,” KSPS at 9: “Big Dream, Small Screen” recounts the life of Philo T. Farnsworth, an Idaho farmboy who would be better known as the father of television, if not for a ruthless patent fight with radio giant RCA.

“Chicago Hope,” CBS at 10: Isabella Rossellini turns in an affecting performance as a friend of Dr. Austin (Christine Lahti) undergoing infertility treatment. Shutt (Adam Arkin) confronts Wilmette (Ron Silver), who tries to block an experimental procedure on a patient with a brain tumor. Look for Arkin’s mother, a retired R.N., assisting her son in an operating scene.

Cable Calls

“The ESPSY Awards,” ESPN at 5: Jeff Foxworthy hosts the fifth annual sports awards ceremonies from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage will be presented to boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

“Hello Darlin’: A Tribute to Conway Twitty,” TNN at 6 and 10: How big is Conway Twitty? The singer-songwriter (1933-1993) had more No. 1 songs than Elvis, the Beatles or Michael Jackson. Vince Gill, Travis Tritt and Kathy Mattea are among the Nashville stars who perform.

“Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show,” USA at 8: The venerable pooch pageant is hosted by Joe Garagiola with expert commentary from kennel owner David Frei. Coverage concludes Tuesday at 8. (Each night’s live telecast is repeated the following morning at 10 a.m.)

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