Actress Improves On ‘Perfect Mother’

There should be a separate Emmy category for weeknight movies of the week. You know the ones I mean the ones that aren’t good enough to run on Sunday nights; the ones I complain about all too often.

If they gave out a Best Actress award in this special category Tyne Daly would get my vote for her chilling performance in CBS’ “The Perfect Mother” at 9.

Ione Skye stars as Kathryn Mitrou, a wholesome young woman who meets and marries John Podaras (Justin Louis), a sincere kid who works for his family’s car-repair business.

Kathryn is warned by her new sister-in-law: “Welcome to the family from hell.” She was not exaggerating.

The source of torment is John’s controlling mother, Eleni (Daly). Behind her sweet smile is a malicious, widowed matriarch who dictates everything from the color of Kathryn’s kitchen tile to when she is to bear a child.

When Kathryn finally stands up to Eleni and tells John to chose between his wife or his mother, Eleni fights back with a coldhearted vengeance, having her daughter-in-law thrown out of her house and vowing to get custody of her young son.

Daly, a five-time Emmy-winner, is masterful in her grim portrayal of this monstrous woman. The movie, said to be “inspired by actual events,” serves up a shocking turn in the final reel.

I’m not sure “The Perfect Mother” is good enough for a Sunday night. It lacks depth and skips along a little too quickly to fully believe.

For one thing, it’s hard to see how Kathryn couldn’t recognize she was dealing with such a dysfunctional family. But, thanks to Daly, this remains one of the more consuming TV movies I’ve seen in a long time.

Highlights

“Cool Runnings” (1993), FOX at 8: Leon (“Cliffhanger”), Malik Yoba (“New York Undercover”), Doug E. Doug (“Cosby”) and Rawle D. Lewis star with John Candy in this clever comedy based on the misadventures of the 1988 Jamaican Olympic bobsled team. Candy is a riot as the coach.

“Thomas Jefferson,” KSPS tonight and Wednesday at 9 : The latest documentary from Ken Burns (“The Civil War,” “Baseball”) tells the story of the man many consider the most important figure in American history. It’s an enlightening and emotional portrait, aided by almost poetic observations from historians and experts on enigmatic Jefferson’s triumphs and personal tragedies. Burns hits another home run.

“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Sid Caesar and Shecky Greene guest-star as two of Paul’s (Paul Reiser) oddball uncles. This show has an affection for comic legends, and this is another episode in which their talents are put to good use.

“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: When Wilson (Earl Hindman) is criticized for his eccentricities, he decides to become a “regular guy” and turns to Tim (Tim Allen) for help.

“Frasier,” NBC at 9: The boys get lucky, and fans get a half-hour of solid laughs.

Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce) meet two women (Lisa Darr, Megan Mullally) at Cafe Nervosa. They end up together on a weekend date at a secluded cabin.

“Spin City,” ABC at 9:30: George Stephanopoulos, David Letterman, Patrick Ewing, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Frank Gifford, Rosie O’Donnell, Larry King, and the cast of “Rent” show up for the mayor’s 50th birthday party.

Cable Calls

“Larry King Live,” CNN at 6: King hosts Elizabeth Taylor.

“Carrie” (1976), TNT at 8: Still good for a good scare is this Brian De Palma thriller about a quiet, unpopular high school girl (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, David Lynch.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and actor Ving Rhames.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: William Shatner, Kathy Mattea and Rob Schneider.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Michael Rapaport.