Johnson Performance Solid In ‘Bridges’
Back when executive producer Carlton Cuse wrote the pilot for “Nash Bridges” (CBS at 10) he included a reference to Bridges (Don Johnson) having a brother who was a Vietnam-era MIA.
Bridges’ big brother Bobby left him that bright yellow Barracuda to care for, but never came back from the war.
Tonight, Bridges gets a message to meet a reporter who has returned from Southeast Asia, possibly with word that his brother is still alive. The reporter is murdered before his eyes.
Bridges finds out that a war between drug traffickers is about to break out in San Francisco. One of the combatants is an MIA who escaped capture, but stayed to set up a heroin operation. He goes by the name of Bobby Chase, and he’s in San Francisco to kill his rival.
That puts Bridges in the middle, which is not a particularly original plot device. But the writing is strong, and Johnson steps up with a solid performance. Equally impressive is James Gammon as Bridge’s father, who is visited by the son who disappeared 24 years ago.
Jan Michael Vincent guest stars in an episode that puts the series’ humorous elements aside. This is an affecting drama, with an ending that is not only touching but uncharacteristically light-handed. It may be the best “Nash Bridges” ever.
Highlights
“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” ABC at 8: Sabrina’s cat Salem (Nick Bakay supplies the voice) swallows a magic time ball and leads not only Sabrina and her pals, but all of ABC’s “T.G.I.F” lineup through a time-traveling adventure.
After taking “Sabrina” back to the 1960s, Salem sends “Boy Meets World” (at 8:30) back to the 1940s, “You Wish” (at 9) to the 1950s and “Teen Angel” (at 9:30) to the 1970s. Melissa Joan Hart guests stars on “You Wish” and “Teen Angel.”
“Candid Camera,” CBS at 8: In this “Battle of the Sexes” edition, men are asked to help a woman carry her immovable suitcase and others are tempted to peek up a woman’s skirt.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 9: A report looks into court-filed allegations that car batteries sold by Sears as new are, in fact, used. Sears denies the claim.
“Millennium,” FOX at 9: Black (Lance Henriksen) is called in when a self-proclaimed prophet convinced that World War III has begun abducts a busload of children.
“Homicide: Life on the Street,” NBC at 10: Falsone and Lewis (Jon Seda, Clark Johnson) join Detective Stivers (Toni Lewis) to investigate the case of a woman found beaten and barely alive. Meanwhile, Pembleton (Andre Braugher) awaits the birth of his second child.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: Barbara Walters interviews Marv Albert, who talks about his reported 10-year affair with Vanessa Perhach, the woman who accused him of assault and battery, and forcible sodomy.
Cable Calls
“Stephen King’s ‘Thinner”’ (1996), MAX at 8: An obese lawyer (Robert John Burke) accidentally kills a gypsy and is cursed by her gypsy father. He starts losing weight, getting thinner and thinner. It’s a violent, gory, horror flick with creepy special effects, but otherwise forgettable for all but the blood-and-guts crowd.
“MTV Sports and Music Festival,” MTV at 8: Extreme sports and alternative music meet in this three-hour-long special. In addition to BMX cycling, snowboarding and in-line skating, there are musical performances by Smash Mouth, WuTang Clan, Everclear, the Offspring, Reel Big Fish and Blink-182.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Richard Gere and singer Shania Twain.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Lawyer and author Robert Kennedy Jr., actress Kelly McGillis, and singers B.B. King and Tracy Chapman.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: From Washington, D.C., actor-comedian Jon Stewart and Lynne Cheney of the American Enterprise Institute.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Robert Blake.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Karl Malden and musical guest Phish.