Look At ‘Face’ Only For Entertainment
“Face of Evil,” a 1996 CBS movie repeated at 9, is an aptly titled thriller starring Tracey Gold as a seductive psychopath.
Yes, this TV movie has it all - two murders, a vicious act of violence so revolting that it has to take place off-screen, and the ol’ one-two punch of seduction and deceit.
Gold plays a vagabond scam artist who goes by the name of Darcy Palmer.
After fleecing her fiance (Don Harvey), Palmer encounters a college student in an airport. She bops her on the head, stuffs her - half-dead - in a suitcase, assumes her identity as Brianne Dwyer, and flies off to a private college in New Hampshire.
Trust me, it gets worse. In fact, it gets horrible, especially when she takes care of the admissions counselor who is the only person on campus who knows Brianne by sight, the key word here being “sight.”
When her roommate’s extremely rich and recently widowed father (played by a sleepwalking Perry King) shows up, you can easily guess her next move.
“Face of Evil” is one of those TV movies that is so conspicuous in its intent that it becomes something of an R-rated soap opera. It has no pretense other than to entertain - and that’s OK.
Just don’t expect much more. Gold provides only superficial depth when it comes to understanding her monstrous character.
But hey, we’re obviously not talking “The Silence of the Lambs” here, are we?
Highlights
“Hockey” ESPN at 5: The Detroit Redwings meet the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: The Greenes join in the search for a 12-year-old girl lost in the Great Smoky Mountains. Also, Nathaniel (Eddie Karr) searches for a treasure box that once belonged to his dad. Repeat.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim and Jill (Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson) head off for a couples workshop where Tim speaks his mind about his marriage, much to Jill’s dismay. Repeat.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: If you missed it the first time around, make a point of tuning in one of the series’ funniest episodes of the season. Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce) pick up two “sure things” (Lisa Darr and Megan Mullally) at Cafe Nervosa and head off for an intimate weekend in the woods.
Will the boys find a way to blow their big chance for wild, carefree sex? You bet.
“P.O.V.,” KCDT and KUID at 9 p.m., KSPS at 2 a.m.: The series begins its 10th season with “Nobody’s Business,” filmmaker Alan Berliner’s humorous effort to make a film about his cantankerous father. It’s an extremely candid film, as the subject resists loudly at every turn. Nonetheless, shining truths filter through.
Cable Calls
“Yesterday and Today,” TNN at 5: “Tragedies” looks at the shortened careers of Hank Williams, Keith Whitley, Patsy Cline and Buddy Holly.
“Bill Clinton: Rock & Roll President,” VH-1 at 5 and 7: VH-1 talks to the president about his love of music and some of the artists who influenced his musical upbringing. The hour is garnished with footage of Clinton playing saxophone on “The Tonight Show” and “Arsenio,” as well as other footage of the president as a young musician.
Unfortunately, VH-1 has packaged the interview with too much archival footage of artists the president mentions and includes interviews with singers and musicians that serve no purpose.
Give VH-1 credit for being the first to attempt to document the strong role music has played in the chief executive’s life. But couldn’t someone come out and say he is, at best, an average sax player?
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Singer Vince Gill.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Michael Richards (“Seinfeld”) and singer Steve Winwood.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Justine Bateman, Garry Shandling, Geraldo Rivera and commentator Heather Higgins.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actors Charlton Heston and Vince Vaughn and musical guest Pavement.