Cbs Coverage Will Set Olympic Record
CBS’ coverage of the “XVIII Olympic Winter Games” takes flight at 8 from Nagano, Japan.
Jim Nantz and his CBS Sports colleagues are joined by “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather for coverage of the opening ceremonies.
Olympic organizers promise a display of Japanese culture, history and high-tech achievement.
Seiji Ozawa will conduct an international orchestra and a chorus of 2,000. Choirs from around the world will join in via satellite.
The final Olympics of the 20th century will fill the screen for 128 hours - the most extensive Winter Olympics coverage, CBS says, in broadcast history. The time difference between Japan and the United States means more current prime-time coverage of major events than when the games were held in Europe.
(When CBS isn’t covering the games, additional telecasts will be available on cable’s TNT, mostly from 10 to 3 on weekdays.)
Among the 68 events is the much-touted men’s hockey, which will include stars of the National Hockey League. And, for the first time, the games will include women’s hockey.
Skating fans, mark your calendar: The pairs’ finals are scheduled for Tuesday, the men’s finals are scheduled for Feb. 14, ice dancing champions will be decided Feb. 16, and the women’s medals will be determined Feb. 20.
Two-time pairs gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva joins the CBS broadcast team this year as a special correspondent.
Highlights
“Boy Meets World,” ABC at 8:30: Cory (Ben Savage) sprains an ankle on a class ski trip but finds it’s not so bad when he meets the young woman (Linda Cardellini) assigned to take care of him. But he has to be quick on his feet to keep Topanga (Danielle Fishel) from being suspicious.
“Passenger 57” (1992), NBC at 9: Wesley Snipes stars in this airborne action-thriller as an anti-terrorism expert who boards a jet for Los Angeles, where he’s to take a job with the airline. But he’s called upon to save the day when an armed terrorist skyjacks the flight.
“Sabrina, The Teenage Witch,” ABC at 9: Shelley Long (“Cheers”) guest-stars as a wicked witch who holds Sabrina and Harvey (Melissa Joan Hart, Nate Richert) hostage at the top of her beanstalk.
Her plan is to have them for dinner - literally.
A “Sabrina” repeat airs at 8.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: Think you’re safe in your home? A scheduled report concentrates on robbers who boldly strike when you’d least expect them.
Cable Calls
“Get on the Bus” (1996), MAX at 8: Spike Lee’s film, shot on 16mm film and video, portrays a busload of black men making their way to the 1995 “Million Man March.” Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher and Richard Belzer (as a Jewish bus driver) star in this sincere and thoughtful film that addresses a multitude of issues with honesty and integrity.
Financing for the critically acclaimed $2.4 million film came from 15 prominent African-American men, including Lee, actors Will Smith, Wesley Snipes and Robert Guillaume, attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. and the NBA’s Charles Smith.
“Cat People” (1982), SCI at 6: Nastassia Kinski, John Heard and Malcolm McDowell star in Paul Schrader’s remake of Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 suspense classic. Schrader’s approach is more graphic, both in terms of sex and violence, which in many ways makes it less frightening.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and actor Ryan O’Neal.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Drew Barrymore and singer John Mellencamp.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Meatloaf.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: To be announced.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor John Goodman.