Mind Scenes Freshen ‘Chicago Hope’
One of the reasons I like “Chicago Hope” (CBS at 10) better than NBC’s “ER” is that it is unafraid to take chances.
Tonight’s episode certainly is out there.
A burned-out Shutt (Adam Arkin) announces he’s taking a teaching position at Harvard University. But the stress of work and decision-making takes its toll before he can leave the Windy City.
He’s struck down by an aneurysm, and only emergency brain surgery can save his life.
Borrowing from Bob Fosse’s 1979 autobiographical movie “All That Jazz,” the writers take Shutt through a series of hallucinations in which his hospital colleagues sing and dance in elaborate production numbers. (Actually, the episode reminded me more of the hospital scenes in Dennis Potter’s mesmerizing British TV miniseries “The Singing Detective.”)
This probably goes on a tune or two too far. After all, we can assume that Shutt will pull through.
The best parts of the hallucinations are when he flashes back to his bar mitzvah. Surreal it is.
Mandy Patinkin shows up to sing “I’ll Be There.”
Both “Chicago Hope” and “ER” tend to take themselves a bit too seriously. It’s refreshing to see a medical drama lighten up.
And we should all hope our near-death experiences are as entertaining.
Highlights
“Spin City,” ABC at 8: Mike (Michael J. Fox) has his hands full trying to discourage the mayor (Barry Bostwick) from making a fool of himself by courting a younger woman (guest-star Marla Maples). But it becomes a personal matter when she starts coming onto Mike.
“Murphy Brown,” CBS at 8:30: Having received the shocking news that she has breast cancer, Murphy (Candice Bergen) is overwhelmed by conflicting information on the better course of action: a lumpectomy or a mastectomy.
Some of the humor seems forced, as Murphy talks it over with her “FYI” pals. But I can’t complain if this story line raises awareness.
“Dharma and Greg,” ABC at 8:30: Under pressure from Greg’s mother (Susan Sullivan), the newlyweds (Jenna Elfman, Thomas Gibson) agree to repeat their vows at a country-club wedding bash with 150 invited guests.
As you can imagine, things do not go well. But there are plenty of laughs.
“Great Performances,” KSPS at 8: “Carnegie Hall Opening Night,” taped Oct. 6, features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
“3rd Rock From the Sun,” NBC at 9 (grid above, with incorrect listing, was prepared before final schedule was known): As if to demonstrate that it doesn’t have to rely on space-alien gags to get a laugh, the series shifts to a couple of conventional comedy devices.
Dick (John Lithgow) accompanies Mary (Jane Curtin) on a visit to her parents (George Grizzard, Elaine Stritch). Mary can’t bring herself to tell them that her engagement to Dick is off.
Meanwhile, Sally moves in, briefly, with Nina (Simbi Khali).
Cable Calls
“Dead Man’s Gun,” SHOW at 10: In an outstanding episode, Michael Moriarty (“Law & Order”) portrays a bounty hunter who acquires the dead man’s gun and accidentally kills a young bystander in a gunfight. Kate Jackson (“Charlie’s Angels,” “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”) plays the grieving mother, a wealthy widow who wants the bounty hunter dead.
These tales are marked by ironic, unexpected endings, and this one has a dandy.
xxxx SPOKANE WOMAN ON ‘PUBLIC EYE’ Tonight’s edition of “Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel” features a segment on baldness in women that focuses on Cari Bickley of Spokane. Bickley began going bald at age 18 while suffering from alopecia, a disorder that causes hair follicles to stop producing. It affects more than 2 million women. The mother of three is the national spokesperson of the National Alopecia Foundation and is working on a book. Tonight’s show airs at 9 on KREM-Channel 2.