Sequel Matches ‘Knots’ Quality
There’s a reason why “Knots Landing” stayed on the air for 14 seasons: It was that good.
And it’s still good.
If you tune in “Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-deSac” (CBS at 9), you’ll feel as if the prime-time soap - a “Dallas” spinoff - never went away.
The four-hour-long movie, concluding Friday at 9, catches up with the intertwined and unsettled families.
Mack and Karen (Kevin Dobson, Michele Lee) cope with Mack’s midlife crisis. Kate (Stacy Galina), accompanied by a 4-year-old daughter, returns home four years after her affair with Gary (Ted Shackelford).
Val’s (Joan Van Ark) screenwriting career alienates her family. Abby Fairgate (Donna Mills) and Greg Sumner (William Devane) are up to old tricks. And Anne (Michelle Phillips) shows up, for no apparent reason as far as the plot goes.
Mack and Greg fight over a Sumner plant closing that will devastate workers and their families. Abby, battling the Internal Revenue Service, is forced to move in with the MacKenzies.
There’s plenty of passion and, at the end of Part 1, a suspicious death to stir things up. Seems like old times.
“Knots Landing” fans will love every second. But be prepared for an untidy ending that hints we’ll someday return to the cul-de-sac again.
Highlights
“NewsRadio,” NBC at 8: Episodes run back-to-back tonight. In the first episode, Jimmy returns to the station to recover after a coronary - hospital bed and all.
Jerry Seinfeld appears as himself in the 8:30 show. He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time - when Bill (Phil Hartman) is desperate for a big-name guest for his failing talk show.
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: Pamela Anderson (“Baywatch”) reprises her role as Fran’s (Fran Drescher) nemesis Heather, who makes Fran even more jealous when she lands a role on “The Young and the Restless.”
“In the Wild,” KSPS at 7: Holly Hunter travels to Namibia and South Africa to observe cheetahs. The actress’s disarming narration tells you as much about her as the animals in this sharp hour.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 8: The season finale brings big changes for Grace (Brett Butler), who gets a new job at an ad agency, opening up promising opportunities for Grace and the series.
“Coach,” ABC at 8:30: A three-part series finale begins with Hayden (Craig T. Nelson) getting a $17 million offer to coach the Breakers for the next 10 years. The comedy wraps with an hourlong special a week from tonight. “American Masters,” KSPS at 8: “Jack Paar: As I Was Saying …” pays homage to television pioneer Paar, who made his first appearance as host of “The Tonight Show” 40 years ago. Among those interviewed is Paar’s “Tonight” announcer, Hugh Downs.
“Ellen,” ABC at 9:30: Ellen comes out to her parents (Alice Hirson, Steve Gilborn). Chastity Bono guest-stars.
Cable Calls
“The Life and Times of …” TNN at 5: Alvis Edgar Owens Jr., better known as “Buck” Owens, is profiled.
“The Stepsister” (1997), USA at 9: Linda Evans (“Dynasty”) is the villainess in this thriller about a psychology major (Rena Sofer) who sees through the lethal designs of her father’s new bride and her equally devious daughter (Bridgette Wilson). Unavailable for review.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Dana Carvey and bullriding champion Terry Don West.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actors Mike Myers and Danny Aiello and crossbow expert Ross Hartzell.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Larry Gelbart, Sharon Lawrence, Robert Reich and MSNBC commentator Ann Coulter.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Penelope Ann Miller and etiquette specialist Letitia Baldridge.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Judd Nelson (“Suddenly Susan”), Jerry Van Dyke (“Coach”) and crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.