Impact Of ‘Asteroids’ Will Be Less Than Hyped

If you’ve been living under a rock for the past six months, then you probably haven’t seen NBC’s special effects-filled ads for its four-hour-long disaster movie “Asteroids” (Sunday and Monday at 9).

The ads use highly sensational tactics to imply that asteroids may one day bombard your own city. So, therefore, you must watch the network’s miniseries to find out.

As you might guess, the ads are far more exciting than the actual movie, which is filled with special effects but not much plot. Part 1 focuses on the discovery of two asteroids racing toward Earth and our government’s efforts to minimize the impact.

Between outer space shots of the miniplanetoids flying fast and furious toward their targets like killer sharks heading for prey, there are scenes of the U.S. government evacuating Kansas City.

Along the way, you’ll meet characters such as a brilliant and pretty astronomer (Annabella Sciorra); a smart, handsome and caring government official (Michael Biehn); a suburban family headed by a firefighter (Don Franklin); and likable young doctors (Jensen Daggett, Michael Weatherly) who end up at the right place so they can save lives.

Highlights

“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” CBS tonight at 8: Actor-singer John Schneider rides into town as a guest star in this two-hour-long episode.

Schneider plays Sully’s wealthy best friend, who immediately falls for Dr. Mike. He tries to help ease the family’s debt.

“U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” ABC tonight at 8 and Sunday at 1: Michelle Kwan and Todd Eldredge lead the field of contenders in this annual competition.

“Profiler,” NBC tonight at 9: A string of strange murders leads to a wealthy billionaire played by James Coburn in this two-hour-long episode. A Martinez joins the series as an explosives expert; the infamous Jack of All Trades is finally cornered.

“Touched By an Angel,” CBS Sunday at 8: The politics of being an angel come to the forefront in this heavenly hour about Monica’s performance evaluation. She’s due in front of the judge of the high court (Cloris Leachman), but a fallen angel (Jasmine Guy) has tricked her into missing the appointment.

While Monica is off helping a troubled woman (Maureen McCormick), the court is stripping her of her angel powers. Only James Earl Jones as the so-called Angel of Angels can restore her halo.

It’s sort of depressing to see that even angels have to contend with bureaucratic red tape.

“First Do No Harm” (1997), ABC Sunday at 9: This is not a typical disease-of-the-week movie. To begin with, it stars powerful and forceful Meryl Streep.

She manages to turn a feel-sorry-for-me character into a strong, assertive parent anyone can relate to.

Lori (Streep) and Dave Reimuller (Fred Ward) essentially bet the farm on medical science. They go deep into debt to control their son’s (Seth Adkins) epilepsy.

To avoid the doctors’ “final solution,” surgery, Lori decides to use a Baltimore doctor’s experimental ketogenic diet.

Stick by to the end to discover which actors in this movie say they have benefited from the controversial treatment.

Parents’ Pick

“Turning Point,” ABC Sunday at 8: Gather up the young people, especially those with stars in their eyes. This report is a heavy dose of reality about the road to becoming a Broadway star.

The hour chronicles a national talent search for young actors to appear in the Broadway revival of the nearly 20-year-old hit “Annie.” Thousands of girls auditioned for roles, and all but only a handful ended up coping with rejection.

You’ll applaud this report for its candid look at brutally honest producers, stage moms and competitive girls. It leaves you wondering why kids can’t just be kids.

Cable Calls

“The Juror” (1995), HBO tonight at 8: Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin star in this thriller about a terrified juror (Moore) in a Mafia trial. There are some chills, but few thrills, as Baldwin puts on his sinister act.

“Jane Austen’s ‘Emma”’ (1997), A&E Sunday at 5: The same folks who brought you “Pride and Prejudice” now bring you “Emma,” Jane Austen’s tale of that meddlesome young lady (Kate Beckinsale).

Slow and stilted, this tale should mark a temporary halt to any more Austen fare. There has been too much.

“Mandela and de Klerk” (1997), SHO Sunday at 8: Ken Burns would be impressed with the intelligent use of documentary footage in this political drama. It’s used to frame the story of the relationship between Nelson Mandela (Sidney Poitier) and F.W. de Klerk (Michael Caine).

Mandela’s struggles with the South African government begin with his incarceration in 1964 and end with his acceptance as an elected leader in South Africa.

Poitier presents his Mandela as smart, larger than life, and passionate. He’s electrifying, as is Caine as low-keyed de Klerk.

Movie Marquee

“Dave” (1993), CBS Sunday at 9: Here’s an easy-viewing fantasy about a working class man (Kevin Kline) masquerading as the president. Kline fares well in a dual role, and Sigourney Weaver is notable as a refined first lady.