‘You Wish’ Could Use Some Real Magic
“I Dream of Jeannie” meets “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” in ABC’s new “T.G.I.F.” family comedy “You Wish,” premiering at 9.
John Ales is the genie - Genie is his name - who appears when single, working-mom Gillian Apple (Harley Jane Kozak) unrolls an ancient rug she buys in a shop. He, of course, becomes her faithful servant.
Ho-hum, you’re thinking. Well, you’re mostly right.
The one intelligent surprise is that Gillian, recently divorced, is doing quite well without a man around the house, even one who can do a month’s worth of chores with the wave of his hand. She’s so uninterested (and perhaps untrusting) that she sends Genie packing.
Of course, he finds his way back by finding a way into the hearts of her children, who adore him. One can only guess how long it will be before love blossoms.
Hey, ABC might rename the series “Who’s the Genie?”
Nathan Lawrence plays Gillian’s 11-year-old son Travis. Alex McKenna is 14-year-old daughter Mickey.
Will your kids love Genie, too? Who can tell?
But if ABC executives think the show will work because adults will get hooked by the romantic tension between Gillian and Genie, they should think again. Judith Light and Tony Danza they’re not.
Shows like “You Wish” and “Teen Angel” (see below) weaken ABC’s Friday night lineup. Wouldn’t it be something if CBS grabbed a bigger share of the audience with “Family Matters” and “Step By Step,” which came over from ABC after last season?
Highlights
“Family Matters,” CBS at 8: Carl’s (Reginald VelJohnson) boss (Dick O’Neill) invites him on a duck-hunting outing, not knowing that Carl is against killing animals.
“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” ABC at 8: In an hourlong season premiere, Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) faces “the test” every witch must take upon reaching 17. But she’s too busy with school to study.
There’s lots of fun here, along with a lesson on priorities kids will appreciate.
Guest-star Alimi Ballard is entertaining as the Quizmaster.
“Just Cause” (1995), NBC at 9: Sean Connery plays a Harvard professor who attempts to save a man (Blair Underwood) who may have been wrongly convicted of murder.
He’s pitted against the original arresting officer (Laurence Fishburne) in the case, who takes offense at the meddling. It’s not one of Connery’s more memorable films, but it’s well acted by a strong cast that includes Kate Capshaw, Ruby Dee and Ed Harris.
“Teen Angel,” ABC at 9:30: Remember the interest in angels that was sweeping the country? Here’s a show that could dull the fad considerably.
Mike Damus stars as Marty DePolo, a teenager who eats a tainted hamburger and dies. He comes back as the guardian angel of his best friend, Steve (Corbin Allred).
Damus gives us one of the most annoying teen characters in recent memory - on any network. Lame humor and cheap special effects don’t help much, either.
“Nash Bridges,” CBS at 10: Willie Nelson guest-stars as a convict set free to work with Bridges (Don Johnson) to apprehend his former partner.
Cable Calls
“Kablam!,” NIK at 8: A new season begins for this zany animated sketch-comedy series. The “Action League Now” is a cross between “Mr. Bill” and the superhero comics. Also, in “Prometheus & Bill,” an alien attempts to civilize a caveman.
This is wacky stuff parents can enjoy with their kids.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Jenny McCarthy (“Jenny”), actor Russell Crowe and singer Carly Simon.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Kim Basinger, Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) and singer Jackson Browne.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Ralph Nader.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) and MSNBC sportscaster Keith Olbermann.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Musician John Tesh and musical guest Squirrel Nut Zippers.