Chemistry Fizzles In ‘Over The Top’
Never has a series been more aptly named than “Over the Top,” premiering on ABC at 8:30.
Tim Curry and Annie Potts star in this screwball comedy that tries to whip a stock premise into something new and exciting.
Curry plays recently fired and destitute soap-opera star Simon Ferguson, who moves into a struggling New York City hotel run by one of his ex-wives, Hadley (Potts).
Though they share a mutual affection, Hadley has learned that life with flamboyant Simon is a dizzying experience. Obviously, she will let him stay, which is where the fun is supposed to begin.
It doesn’t.
Curry has Simon geared so annoyingly high that it is impossible to believe that anyone could like him.
Of course, Hadley’s otherwise difficult teen daughter Gwen (Marla Sokolof) and 7-year-old Daniel (Luke Tarsitano) think he’s way cool. That’s so Mom can’t toss him out on his ear.
Heavy emphasis on having a good time after becoming staggeringly drunk is another reason not to like the pilot. But it’s all nonsense, hopelessly over the top, from start to finish.
Potts seems uncomfortable trying to make it look like she’s having any fun at all and not nearly as at ease as she was opposite Jay Thomas in the memorable CBS comedy, “Love & War.”
This show is built on the hope that Curry and Potts will charm viewers with a chemistry that makes us imagine the love that once brought Simon and Hadley together.
Love? She had to have been drunk.
Highlights
“Baseball,” NBC at 5: The Indians and Marlins meet in Game 3 of the World Series.
“Soul Man,” ABC at 8: The comedy moves to its regular time with John Goodman (“Roseanne”) guest-starring as the Rev. Mike’s (Dan Aykroyd) former Air Force buddy, who’s hitting the booze to wash away guilt over a friend’s death.
“Nova,” KSPS at 7: “Bomb Squad” takes viewers to the battle lines of the 25-year-old conflict between Irish Republican Army terrorists and British bomb-disposal experts.
“Frontline,” which follows at 8, examines the Irish Republican Army and its political arm, Sinn Fein. The correspondent is Peter Taylor, who has studied Northern Ireland’s bloody history for three decades.
“Addams Family Values” (1993), FOX at 8: Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston return as Gomez and Morticia Addams in the campy, outrageous sequel. The Addams have a new baby, and Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) has a suitor (Joan Cusack).
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: After witnessing Harry (Blake Clark) blow up at his son Dennis (David DeLuise), Tim and Jill (Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson) rethink the way they deal with their three sons. Repeat.
“Love, Lust and Marriage: Why We Stray, Why We Stay,” ABC at 10: John Stossel anchors this hour that offers a varied look at love, courtship, marriage, infidelity and divorce. Experts offer opinions on why romance fades and what makes marriages last.
Though interesting, the special covers so much ground that it loses focus. And Stossel is better when he is more puckish.
Cable Calls
“Beaches” (1988), USA at 9: Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey star in this unabashed but affecting tear-jerker about best friends from childhood who suffer life’s ups and downs as well as a final challenge.
Midler helps the story rise above its sentimental premise. Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) and Marcie Leeds sparkle, playing Midler and Hershey’s characters at age 11. Garry Marshall directed.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Dustin Hoffman and singer Martin Page. Repeat.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: From previous broadcasts, Dennis Miller (“Denis Miller Live”), NBC Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman and actor-comedian Denis Leary.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Fred Savage, author Roger Fouts, Michael Warder of the Claremont Institute, and actress-comedienne Carol Leifer.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Ted Danson and comedian Blake Clark. Repeat.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) and animal expert Clyde Peeling. Repeat.