Grab Another Look At ‘Grand Ole Opry’
“The Grand Ole Opry 70th Anniversary” (CBS at 9) is a repeat worth watching a second time.
As I wrote when this extraordinary special aired a year ago almost to the day, country music fans rank Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry alongside Mount Rushmore and the Washington Monument as a part of the national trust. This colorful two-hour-long gala goes a long way toward bearing that out.
It’s a fitting tribute to an institution that’s more popular today than it has ever been.
Dolly Parton opens the show from the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Opry before its 1974 move to the current Opry House. What unfolds is an inspired observance that combines live performances, interviews and film montages of country greats, past and present, who have graced the Opry stage.
Clint Black, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Travis Tritt and Hank Williams Jr. are among the scores of stars who turn out.
The theme-driven evening includes a tip of the hat to such legends as bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, who died Sept. 9, 1996, and singers George Jones, Hank Williams and Minnie Pearl.
As they say at the Opry: “Y’all come!”
Highlights
“Football,” ABC at 5: The college bowl bash wraps up with the season’s most anticipated game. Top-ranked Florida State (11-0) meets No. 3 Florida (11-1) in New Orleans.
“Living Single,” FOX at 8:30: Max (Erika Alexander) makes a mistake when she encourages Kyle (T.C. Carson) to date another woman. Meanwhile, Regine (Kim Fields Freeman) scores tickets to a Brian McKnight concert. McKnight makes a guest appearance. Repeat.
“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: This is a repeat of the silly episode in which Elaine loses the respect of her co-workers when they see her dance. Also, one of Kramer’s friends (Neil Giuntoli) coerces Jerry into an illegal activity, and George is a hit with one of Elaine’s employees (Rebecca McFarland).
“New York Undercover,” FOX at 9: An 11-year-old girl is raped, and the prime suspect is a recently released child molester. Meanwhile, there are more troubles at home for J.C. (Malik Yoba) as he learns G (George Gore II) is about to be expelled from school. Repeat.
“ER,” NBC at 10: In an emotional episode from last season, the ER is flooded with victims of an apartment fire. Shep (Ron Eldard) and Raul (Carlos Gomez) are trapped in the building.
Eldard, now the star of NBC’s lamebrained comedy “Men Behaving Badly,” shows he can handle a tough dramatic role as well.
Also, Ross (George Clooney) gives his unreliable dad (James Farentino) one more chance by agreeing to join him at a Chicago Bulls game.
Cable Calls
“Biography of the Year,” A&E at 5 and 9: The weeknight series picks its most significant personality of the year, keeping the identity secret until air time. Contenders include Colin Powell, George Burns, Madonna, David Brinkley, Ella Fitzgerald and Ted Turner.
“The Unexplained,” A&E at 7: A new series begins with - what else? - an hour probing whether the U.S. government conspires to hide the truth about UFOs.
Future episodes promise to report on ESP and miracle cures and, as A&E vice president for documentaries Michael Cascio says, “the other side of ‘the other side.”’ Enough already.
“Cronkite Remembers,” DISC at 10: This is the way it was. Cronkite “remembered” in a CBS special last year that was a condensed history of the newsman’s career. Discovery will air eight hours of Cronkite’s fascinating, though sometimes self-absorbed, recollections.
The series will run on successive Thursdays, repeated Saturdays at noon.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Jeff Foxworthy (“The Jeff Foxworthy Show”).
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Alec Baldwin, author Craig Kilborn and cast members of the Broadway musical “Chicago.”
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: “Today” co-host Matt Lauer and chef Emeril Lagasse (“The Essence of Emeril”).