‘Mind’ Would Be Better As Campy Comedy
A rookie police detective has brain cells from a clinically dead murder victim transplanted into her own brain so she can “remember” and therefore capture a serial killer.
But the victim, a successful businesswoman, turns out to have had a kinky secret sex life. And her libidinous instincts are very much a part of those transplanted cells.
I think I like this as a campy black comedy - a “Rocky Brain Transplant Horror Picture Show,” if you will.
Regrettably, it’s a dead-serious TV movie called “Murder in My Mind” airing at 9 on CBS. Nicollette Sheridan stars as the detective, Callain Peterson, who talks her neuroscientist boyfriend (Peter Coyote) into grafting the cells. Stacy Keach plays an FBI agent in charge of the investigation.
Sure enough, the brain cells start working, and Peterson gets vivid and terrifying memories of the attack. For the purposes of suspense, however, she keeps recalling everything but the killer’s face.
Meanwhile, Peterson takes up smoking - she can’t imagine why - and when she meets the brain-dead woman’s boyfriend she suddenly starts getting hot and bothered. (Hey, what’s a Nicollette Sheridan movie without a sex scene?)
About this time I started thinking how much better this would be if Shelley Long were playing the detective and Dana Carvey were the scientist-boyfriend. Leslie Nielsen could play the boss, and Pee-wee Herman would be perfect in a cameo as the coroner.
I’m telling you, it would be pretty heady comedy.
Highlights
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: Three cheers for Robert Urich who guest-stars as a judge who has the misfortune of having Fran (Fran Drescher) as a member of a jury hearing one of his cases. Rest assured, she does not go quietly into the night.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 8: It wouldn’t be a ratings “sweeps” month without a sitcom birthing episode. It’s Nadine’s (Julie White) turn. But with Wade on a stakeout, Grace (Brett Butler) is pressed into duty.
It’s fitting. Nadine subbed for Grace’s unreliable husband Jimmy when her children were born.
“Wings,” NBC at 8: In New York City Brian and Helen (Steven Weber, Crystal Bernard) are fleeced by a con artist. You won’t believe how they try to raise money to get back home.
“Pearl,” CBS at 8:30: In the conclusion of a two-part episode, Pearl (Rhea Perlman) fantasizes about her late husband Sal. In a great comic casting stunt, Perlman’s “Cheers” co-star Ted Danson plays the role of Sal.
“Party of Five,” FOX at 9: In a powerful episode, Bailey (Scott Wolf) is confronted by his siblings and Sarah, who decide an intervention is necessary to get him to recognize that his drinking is out of control. One criticism: Interventions work best with a trained neutral facilitator, an option the Salingers apparently never consider.
Cable Calls
“The Life and Times of …” TNN at 5: Stock car legend Richard Petty is profiled. Son Kyle, cousin Dale Inman and NASCAR drivers Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough are interviewed, making this a treat for racing fans.
“Elton John in Concert From Rio,” DISN at 9: In a 1995 Rio de Janiero appearance John wows a crowd with renditions of such classics as “Rocket Man” and “Bennie and the Jets” as well as more recent hits.
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1956), AMC at 7 and 10:30: Turn down the lights and enjoy this dandy thriller starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter. Suspenseful sci-fi with a not-too-subtle political message, it’s held up as well as any ‘50’s entry in the genre.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Music group The Wallflowers.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Pat Boone and talk-show host Likita Garth.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Comedian Dana Gould.
xxxx FUHRMAN INTERVIEWED “PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: Diane Sawyer interviews former Los Angeles Police Department detective Mark Fuhrman. “PrimeTime” promises never-before-told details of what he saw on the night Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered.