Nbc’s ‘Just Shoot Me’ Right On Target
Maybe she’s playing me for a sucker, but I’m getting a kick out of Laura San Giacomo, star of NBC’s “Just Shoot Me” at 9:30.
OK, the petite actress is cute as a button. But I like the way this office comedy is set up. Maya Gallo (San Giacomo) has gone to work at her once-estranged father’s fluffy women’s magazine, Blush.
Her dad, played with manic gusto by George Segal, is a nut case. The staff is just as daffy.
Pretentious, condescending beauty and fashion editor Nina Van Horn (Wendie Malick) is a former model unhappily settling into her “mature” years. Boyish Dennis Finch and Elliott DiMauro (David Spade, Enrico Colantoni) are nonstop wisecrackers and consummate practical jokers.
Tonight, Maya copes with a hilariously inept new assistant (Cheri Oteri) as Nina prepares for an appearance on National Public Radio. Wait till you see the gag the boys pull on Nina. It’s a hoot.
Guest-star Larry Miller is a riot as the radio host.
“Just Shoot Me” was a midseason show that didn’t create a big buzz. NBC sees potential in this ensemble, and that’s a good thing.
We’re besieged by workplace comedies these days to the point that they all run together in one’s mind. We should start a campaign with the slogan, “It’s the cast, stupid.” This group of actors would be funny anywhere.
Opposite ABC’s lightweight “Hiller and Diller” and with “Frasier” as a lead-in, the time is right for “Just Shoot Me” to come into its own.
Highlights
“Baseball,” FOX at 5: The Major League divisional playoffs show up in prime time with Cleveland taking on the New York Yankees. ESPN has games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“Soul Man,” ABC at 8:30: After a short run this spring, the series is back with original star Dan Aykroyd joined by Anthony Clark, who appears as a young assistant pastor. The Rev. Michael Weber (Aykroyd) finds himself at the end of his rope when one crisis after another deprives him of sleep.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim (Tim Allen) is in a tough spot when Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) attacks Binford Tools’ environmental record in a school newspaper article.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: Marsha Mason returns as Martin’s (John Mahoney) girlfriend. As Martin celebrates his 65th birthday, Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce) renew their rivalry over who gives better presents.
“Naked to the Bone,” KSPS at 8: Medical imaging techniques and their impact on medicine are the topic of this hourlong special.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: The season premiere resolves last season’s cliffhanger. Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) face possible charges in the Joey Salvo murder unless the real killer is exposed.
Off-duty, Kirkendall (Andrea Thompson) finds romance under unlikely circumstances, and Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) decides he wants to marry Gina (Lourdes Benedicto), who is pregnant.
Cable Calls
“Before They Were Pros,” TNT at 5, 6:30 and 8: The NFL’s Troy Aikman, Brett Favre, Marcus Allen, John Elway and Wayne Chrebet are profiled with home movies, high school game films and interviews with high school coaches, friends and family members.
From NFL Films, it’s 90-minutes of heaven for gridiron fans, even with its short detour that documents Favre’s chronic flatulence problem. No kidding.
“Ralph Emery on the Record,” TNN at 7 and 11: Disarming Emery sits down with country legend Loretta Lynn in an enlightening conversation.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: David Schwimmer (“Friends”), actress Ashley Judd and singer Mary J. Blige.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Michael J. Fox (“Spin City”), model Sarah O’Hare and singer Patti Smith.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Drew Carey and Lynn Sherr.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Drew Carey (“The Drew Carey Show”).
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”), comedian Paul Rodriguez and actress Nikki Cox.