Abc’s ‘Motown’ Saves Night From ‘Garbage’
ABC has the worst and the best of Sunday night viewing. The worst first: Tony Danza starring in the Wonderful World of Disney’s “The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon” at 7.
This by-the-numbers flat comedy features Danza as a sanitation worker with a garbage truck that has a tricky hydraulic lift. It requires a swift kick to start moving.
Guess which garbage man has the best kick in town? Danza’s Barney Gorman kicks his way into the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. The rest is the same old tale: Gorman gets a swollen head and loses everybody he loves until he redeems himself in the most crucial game of the season.
Here’s a movie about kick that lacks any kick. The show-stopper is Jaime Cardriche as Bubba, Gorman’s massive and lovable teammate. He brings personality and lighter moments to this slow-mover that’s also bogged down with too many scenes of Gorman arguing with his wife (Jessica Tuck).
Look for cameos from ESPN’s Chris Berman and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeff Lurie. (He has the line: “This new Eagles owner must be a good guy.”) Now for the best on ABC. Check out the rocking-and-rolling documentary “Motown 40: The Music is Forever” (Sunday and Thursday at 9). This four-hour-long trip down memory lane is filled with remember-when clips, great music and insightful interviews.
Berry Gordy, founder of the entertainment empire, offered up his personal files and archives. There are lots of rare photographs, footage and musical performances. He is also interviewed about his early beginnings and songwriting career.
Babyface, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, Dick Clark, Lionel Richie and Sean “Puffy” Combs contribute to this toe-tapping masterpiece.
You could say you heard it through the grapevine that this is a visit to Motown you will remember long after it ends.
Highlights
“Winter Olympics,” TNT today at 3 p.m., CBS at 11:30 a.m., 7 and 11:35 p.m.; and TNT Sunday at 4, CBS at 1, 8 and 11:35 p.m.: Today, CBS plans to shoehorn in between its feature stories, profiles and commentary some coverage of men’s figure skating, women’s combined alpine skiing, women’s 500m speedskating and two-man bobsled. On Sunday, the network will have ice dancing, two-man bobsled final runs and speedskating.
As for TNT, it’s got action. Today, the cable channel will have men’s ice hockey (Sweden vs. Canada) and women’s ice hockey (U.S. vs. Canada). On Sunday, a look at men’s figure skating, men’s ice hockey (Czech Republic vs. the qualifier) and a preview of ice dancing.
“Cops,” FOX tonight at 8: The cops are out in full force on FOX starting with Las Vegas blues at 8. You can overload on them during this twohour-long marathon.
“Simpsons,” FOX Sunday at 8: The Internet receives a clever spoofing when Homer hits cyberspace to set up a business. As for Homer’s kids, Bart and Lisa become stranded on an island after a bus accident.
“X-Files,” FOX Sunday at 9: An entity is loose on the Internet, and it can kill. Mulder is on the case and races against the clock to keep the World Wide Web from going haywire.
“Masterpiece Theatre,” KSPS Sunday at 8: Part 2 of this engaging adaptation of Catherine Cookson’s “The Wingless Bird.”