Abc To Pump Up Disney’s ‘Hercules’
It’s virtually impossible to avoid whatever happens to be the newest Disney movie.
You know you’re going to be bombarded with plastic toys and souvenir cups at the fast-food joints. If you rent the latest Disney release on home video, you’ll be subjected to a long trailer promoting the new film.
The Disney Channel pushes the film every chance it gets. And let’s not forget the commercials.
Last week, Disney got New York City to dim its lights for an electric parade hyping “Hercules.” Could the ABC prime-time plug be far behind?
“Hercules: From Zero to Hero,” a live-action special at 9:30, stars Matt Frewer and Bobcat Goldthwait as a pair of explorers searching for Hercules’ treasure. In their quest they learn how he came to possess his legendary strength.
Singer Michael Bolton and Susan Egan (the Tony-nominated actress of Broadway’s version of “Beauty and the Beast”) are also featured. They both sing in the new picture.
Frewer is the voice of Panic, and Goldthwait plays Pain in the animated film.
The half-hour show was unavailable for review.
Highlights
“Step By Step,” ABC at 8: This series rarely makes me laugh out loud, but some of the situations it develops are true to life. That’s the case tonight when Al (Christine Lakin) becomes the victim of vicious rumors that surface, not coincidentally, after a bad date.
Also, Frank and Rich (Patrick Duffy, Jason Marsden) become obsessed with a 24-hour sports channel.
“Sliders,” FOX at 8: The lost quartet slides into a parallel universe that would seem to be somewhere in ancient Egypt. As usual, the four make a grand entrance, crashing a burial site and unleashing a mythic monster. Repeat.
“Life … and Stuff,” CBS at 8:30: This series continues to focus on sex as Rick and Ronnie (Rick Reynolds, Pam Dawber) decide to give couples therapy a try.
The therapist (Martin Mull) asks them to spend a week without sex - something Rick can’t handle.
If you recall, in the series premiere Rick complained that he and Ronnie were having sex about once a month. So what’s so tough about giving it up for a week?
The writers didn’t let it get in the way of a few cheap laughs.
“JAG,” CBS at 9: Harm and Mac (David James Elliott, Catherine Bell) end up on opposite sides in a case against a Navy SEAL accused of murdering his best friend. Oliver North has a cameo as an old pal who offers Harm some advice. Repeat.
“Profiler,” NBC at 10: In a repeat of the series premiere, Sam (Ally Walker) is coaxed back into service to investigate a series of Atlanta killings. The victims are all upscale young women.
Cable Calls
“The X-Games Preview,” ESPN 4:30 and at 9 on ESPN2: A preview special sets the stage for 37 hours of extreme sports coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, as the event moves from its Rhode Island birthplace to San Diego and Oceanside, Calif.
Coverage gets under way Saturday with street luge, stunt bicycle and skysurfing (ABC at 2 p.m.), and more street luge, barefoot water-ski jumping, in-line skating and stunt bicycle (ESPN at 7 and 10 p.m.). The action continues Sunday at 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
“The Craft” (1996), MAX at 8: Neve Campbell (“Party of Five”) Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney and Rachel True play teenagers who turn to sorcery to even the score with a couple of cruel classmates (Christine Taylor, Skeet Urlich).
What could have been a new twist on “Heathers” or “Clueless” peters out as a fairly ordinary horror-special effects film. But the actresses are bursting with talent, enough to make this worth watching.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Cameron Diaz, boxer Evander Holyfield and musical group Toad the Wet Sprocket.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and actor Dermot Mulroney.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Jon Secada, Wendy Wasserstein, Chris Hardwick and Jonathan Katz.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Musical guest Charlie Hunter and comedian Rich Hall.