True Love Wins Out In Cbs Movie

Tue., March 11, 1997

John Martin New York Times Syndicate

There’s something romantic and some things predictably sappy in CBS’ “Something Borrowed, Something Blue” at 9.

Spring is about to bloom, and if that means love is in the air, there’s an audience for this formula romance starring Connie Sellecca, Twiggy Lawson and Shawnee Smith.

It’s one of those TV movies in which we follow three women in love, each with complications in their relationships. Will each find true love? Naturally.

Sellecca plays a magazine editor who is putting together the story of three brides. She’s one of them, engaged to her boss (Jameson Parker).

Twiggy’s a model in love with a high-ranking politician (Ken Howard). Smith, a woman with a hidden past, is set to marry a well-meaning, hard-working guy she knows from the office (Ricky Paull Goldin).

The obstacles include a jealous former lover, a scandalous secret that leaks out and, in Selleca’s case, the realization she’s about to marry an overbearing jerk.

Soap operas should be this tame.

Sellecca provides a steady center to this otherwise ordinary drama. What Lawson lacks in acting skill she makes up for in sincerity and lack of stage affect.

Smith turns in an even-toned performance. Dina Merrill is elegant as Sellecca’s character’s wise mother.

Highlights

“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Paul (Paul Reiser) takes Jamie (Helen Hunt) to see an astrologer (guest-star Melanie Mayron). Skeptical Jamie becomes a believer when the reading proves to be right on, including a revelation that leads to a confrontation with her mother (Carol Burnett). Postponed from an earlier date.

“Blue Chips” (1994), FOX at 8: Nick Nolte plays a college basketball coach who succumbs to the illegal recruiting game to restore his program’s winning ways. This predictable fare is made palpable by appearances by “Penny” Hardaway, Marques Johnson, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy and Shaquille O’Neal.

Robert Wuhl of HBO’s sports comedy “Arliss” also stars.

“Frasier,” NBC at 9: After a traffic violation, Roz (Peri Gilpin) performs community service at a retirement home where Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) meets up with a retiree (James Earl Jones) who is one of his radio fans.

“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9:30: There are lots of laughs when Annie (Amy Pietz) introduces an unsuspecting Del (Eric Lutes) to an old friend (Helen Slater) recently released from a sanitarium.

“The Practice,” ABC at 10: The firm continues to struggle, forcing Bobby (Dylan McDermott) to take out a loan from shady Jimmy Berluti (Michael Badalucco). Also, Eugene (Steve Harris) gets no help from the cops when he seeks a restraining order to protect a client (Jayne Atkinson) from her husband (Jeffrey King).

Cable Calls

“Groovin’ on the Tube,” VH-1 at 3 p.m.: “7 More Days of the ‘70s” continues with a “whatever became of” special featuring child stars of the ‘70s. Catch up on Erin Moran (“Happy Days”), MacKenzie Phillips (“One Day at a Time”) and Brandon Cruise (“The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”).

“Long, Long Ago,” AMC at 6:30 and 9:30: This special features interviews with people in their 80s, 90s and older recalling their first exposure to the movies. With all due respect to the 26 participants, this is excruciating viewing - an oral history that lacks anecdotal substance and is often annoyingly redundant.

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