Take A Delightful Twirl With ‘Spin City’
The funniest thing about ABC’s “Spin City” at 8 is that most of us have been exposed to elected officials as lamebrained as Randall Winston, the fictional New York City mayor played by Barry Bostwick.
And, watching the news, we’ve seen slippery little weasels such as Michael Flaherty, played by Michael J. Fox, try to put a positive spin on their boss’s incompetence.
Tonight, Mike decides the mayor could gain support if he leads a crusade against pornographic material on the city’s public-access cable channels.
But just as the attack gets under way, a group of pornographers comes up with a security-camera tape of the mayor himself browsing in an adult video shop. What’s a spin master to do?
Also, Raquel Welch guest-stars as Paul’s (Richard Kind) mother, and Mike has trouble excluding Nikki (Connie Britton) from dates with his new girlfriend, Laurie (Paula Marshall).
Why do we laugh at politicians? It’s because we want them smart, but we still elect the ones with the best haircuts. Some of it is nervous laughter.
When we laugh at “Spin City,” we’re laughing, in part, because in real life we’re a little embarrassed by the people we put in office.
Highlights
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: The fifth season of the series begins with Fran (Fran Drescher) thinking that she has Maxwell (Charles Shaughnessy) ready for the altar. But her plans are sidetracked by a kitchen renovation project that involves her interior-decorator cousin Sheila, played by guest-star Roseanne.
“Mark Russell Comedy Special,” KSPS at 7: From Washington, D.C., Russell takes his best shots. Thin-skinned Internal Revenue Service agents and Democratic fund-raisers may find some bits funnier than others.
“Murphy Brown,” CBS at 8:30: As the program’s 10th season begins, Murphy (Candice Bergen) tries to get her old job back at “FYI,” but it’s been offered to (guest-star) Joan Lunden. But on a more serious note there’s also a hint of what’s to come this season as Murphy’s doctor expresses concern after evaluating her mammogram.
“Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel,” CBS at 9: The premiere features a report on a controversial sperm separation procedure that allows couples to choose their baby’s gender.
“Ellen,” ABC at 9:30: Dedee Pfeiffer (“Cybill”) guest-stars as a fitness instructor Ellen (Ellen DeGeneres) attempts to impress on a rock-climbing outing.
“Chicago Hope,” CBS at 10: In the season opener, a gang war erupts at the hospital after a wounded gangbanger arrives at the E.R. with a gunshot wound and is followed by rival gang members who show up to finish the job. Also, Tom Skerritt (“Picket Fences”) plays a rich friend of Waters in need of a heart transplant.
Cable Calls
“Rachel’s Daughters: Searching for the Causes of Breast Cancer,” HBO at 7: In this unique documentary, a group of breast-cancer survivors fan out across the country in search of answers to the question, “What causes cancer?”
Eight women interview cancer experts. Though the interviews are uneven, there is plenty to learn here.
HBO deserves credit for supporting this empowering endeavor.
“The Big Show with Keith Olbermann,” MSNBC at 8: Olbermann, the sports world’s funniest broadcaster, makes his MSNBC debut. One of the personalities that made ESPN a nightly necessity for millions of sports fans, he is more fun to watch than the games themselves.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: David Caruso (“Michael Hayes”) and actress-comedian Janeane Garofalo.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Cameron Diaz, Adam Arkin (“Chicago Hope”) and performance artist Veniamin.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Robert Townsend, author Chuck D and filmmaker-producer Lionel Chetwynd.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock From the Sun”).
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Chef Mark Straussman.
xxxx Mariners in playoff “Baseball,” NBC at 5: The Baltimore Orioles visit the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of their divisional playoff series.