‘Rodman Story’ Aptly Unorthodox
You don’t have to be an avid basketball fan to have heard of Dennis Rodman, the NBA’s most colorful (his hair alone probably has been every color of the rainbow) and controversial player.
After all, he’s the hoops star who dated Madonna for a short time.
So is his life worth telling in a TV movie? ABC and Rodman think so and will roll out “Bad as I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story” (1998) Sunday at 9.
The movie opens in the Dallas projects, where Rodman’s mother sees basketball as her child’s ticket out of the slums. He almost blows it but finally makes his way to a college in Oklahoma.
Dwayne Adway portrays Rodman as troubled and apathetic. He cares little about his future and life until he befriends a troubled boy (Michael Caloz) and the boy’s wise parents (John Terry and Dee Wallace Stone).
Eventually, Rodman develops inner strength and builds a support circle that helps pull him out of the dumps. Once Rodman reaches the NBA, the movie changes from an engaging coming-of-age tale into cliche after cliche as his failed love affairs, including his relationship with Madonna, are traced.
His on-court antics provide comedic relief as well as commentary about how the NBA treats unorthodox players.
Rodman’s story, which includes narration by Rodman himself, is not the usual rags-to-riches tale. It’s a story of determination and individuality.
It never glamorizes life in the NBA. Rather the movie shows how life is full of ups and downs and how difficult it is to keep fame and fortune in perspective.
Highlights
“Winter Olympics,” CBS today at 1, 8 and 11:35 p.m.; TNT today at 3 p.m.: The games have officially started, and the first event out of the gate is downhill skiing. (The Austrians seem to have the edge.)
In addition, there’s coverage of freestyle and cross-country skiing and a women’s hockey preview. TNT’s contribution today is a preview show.
On Sunday, CBS has coverage at noon, 8 and 11:35 p.m. TNT has an hour at 4 p.m.
On CBS, women’s hockey premieres with the United States vs. China. In addition, there’s luge coverage and speedskating. The games continue at 8 on CBS with pairs figure skaters competing in the short program. Also featured will be snowboarding and the downhill segment of the men’s combined skiing.
TNT has additional coverage of snowboarding, cross-country and alpine skiing and luge.
“Profiler,” NBC tonight at 10: Michael Learned made such an impression when she appeared in this show as Sam’s disapproving mother-in-law that the network has decided to bring her back. This time she causes even more grief by demanding custody of Chloe.
“Saturday Night Live,” NBC tonight at 11:30: John Goodman, Paula Cole and special guest Dan Aykroyd bring laughs to the comedy show.
“NBA All-Star Game,” NBC Sunday at 3:30: It’s the 48th battle between the NBA’s top stars. Michael Jordan, Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal are among the players.
“Wonderful World of Disney,” ABC Sunday at 7: Robin Williams lends his voice once again as Genie in the zany animated “Aladdin and the King of Thieves.” In this adventure Aladdin searches for his father, who was believed dead.
“Simpsons,” FOX Sunday at 8: A cult tries to recruit Homer in a hilarious spoof on brainwashing.
“The X-files,” FOX Sunday at 9: A creepy kid (Jenny Lynn Hutcheson) clutches a homicidal doll in Maine. Wait a minute. This sounds like the plot of Stephen King’s latest best seller.
Actually, it’s a chilling “X-Files” episode written by the king of horror. Scully stumbles upon the killer doll while on vacation. Unavailable for review.
“Masterpiece Theatre,” KSPS Sunday at 8: This well-acted three-part romance tale, “The Wingless Bird” by Catherine Cookson, returns to World War I England, where the rising merchant class clashes with the elite.
Claire Skinner portrays a savvy shopkeeper who falls for a member of the British elite (Edward Atterton). Both families disapprove.
Will love conquer all? It’s worth finding out in this enjoyable diversion from Olympics coverage.
Cable Calls
“Private Parts” (1997), HBO tonight at 9: Howard Stern chews up the scenery as himself in this tale, directed by Betty Thomas, about his rise in the radio world. He claims to be misunderstood.
You can decide for yourself in this surprisingly well-acted and well-directed movie.
“Trumpet Awards,” TBS Sunday at 4: These awards honor people who have enhanced the quality of life in America. Among the honorees: Jacquelyn H. Barrett, America’s first black female sheriff; Lerone Bennett Jr., executive editor of Ebony Magazine; baseball’s Larry Doby; and musician Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
Gladys Knight and Robert Guillaume host the ceremony, which will present special awards to Gen. Colin Powell, Whitney Houston and Wynton Marsalis.
Movie Marquee
“The Air Up There” (1994), ABC tonight at 8: This is a pleasant comedy-fantasy about an arrogant basketball coach (Kevin Bacon) who travels to Africa in search of recruits. In Africa, he discovers a better way of life.
There’s great location footage of Kenya, but the movie sinks into silliness.
“Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” (1995), NBC Sunday at 9: Steven Seagal steps back into the role of Casey Ryback, the avenging ex-Navy SEAL. You know the routine: Seagal must save the world from a madman (Eric Bogosian) - again. Yawn.