‘Dateline’ Documents Suburban Racism
Television news is quick to show us racism in America. Riots, cross-burnings and other hate crimes get thorough coverage on the nightly news.
Tonight, you get a look at everyday racism - behavior that usually goes unreported.
“Why Can’t We Live Together,” presented as a “Dateline NBC” special at 9, looks at a Chicago suburb where black families are moving in and white families are moving out.
Tom Brokaw anchors the report, produced not by NBC News but in conjunction with Scripps Howard News Productions.
The town is Matteson, Ill., located south of Chicago. It’s a very nice neighborhood, where houses sell for up to $300,000.
Candid interviews reveal that white families have left because of unfounded fears that the arrival of black families means that property values will drop, schools will decline and crime will grow.
It’s frightening how matter-of-factly some former white residents say things about changes in their community that are contradicted by the truth. In fact, property values are up in Matteson, and education and crime are status quo.
Give Brokaw credit for asking some rather blunt questions while stopping short of telling some people that their reasoning is based on prejudice and ignorance.
You can find Chicago neighborhoods, Brokaw points out, that deteriorated after blacks moved in. But they were sinking fast before the racial mix changed.
The plain truth in this excellent broadcast - the truth that sorrows several blacks interviewed - is that when it comes to housing, America hasn’t made much progress on the racial front. Blacks still live in segregation.
Highlights
“Life … and Stuff,” CBS at 8:30: This funniest character in this series is ad man Bernie, played with a very light touch by Fred Applegate.
In this episode, Rick and Ronnie (Rick Reynolds, Pam Dawber) arrange a blind date with Ronnie’s friend Christine (Andrea Martin). Things do not go smoothly.
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” ABC at 9: Hilda and Zelda (Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick) conjure up a dream date for Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart). Brian Austin Green (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) guest-stars. Repeat.
“Millennium,” FOX at 9: Frank suffers an unexplained memory and a vague sense that his condition is related to someone’s death. The puzzle leads to a deranged doctor and an experimental drug.
Cable Calls
“Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist,” COM at 7: A nine-hour marathon features 18 episodes from the animated comedy’s first three seasons.
“The Last Supper” (1996), MAX at 8: Cameron Diaz and Ron Eldard head the cast of this morbid comedy about a group of college students who invite the politically incorrect over for a dinner party where murder is the main course.
“The Big Easy,” USA at 10: A second season begins with a cast change. Leslie Bibb replaces Susan Walters as the detective matching wits with Remy McSwain (Tony Crane).
“Stag” (1997), HBO at 10: Andrew McCarthy, Kevin Dillon, John Stockwell, William McNamara and Ben Gazzara are among those attending a stag party in which an exotic dancer is accidentally killed.
How will they avoid scandal and possible criminal charges? And what are they to do with a second stripper (Taylor Dane) who witnessed the death?
Despite its strong dialogue and disarming plot, the morality tale breaks down.
Basically, these guys all are jerks who turn on each other. It’s hard to find anyone to pull for.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor John Travolta, 6-year-old actress Emily Young and comedian Tom Dreesen.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor-comedian Matin Lawrence, director Robert Zemeckis and singer Sarah McLachlan.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Larry Flynt, Bobcat Goldthwait, Debbie Gibson and author Douglas Rushkoff.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Jonathan Taylor Thomas (“Home Improvement”) and comedian Dana Gould.