Selleck Deserves Better Than ‘The Closer’
Tom Selleck stars in CBS’ “The Closer” at 9, a new comedy that, at first blush, could be an enormous waste of talent.
Selleck plays Jack McLaren, a fired Denver advertising ace starting from scratch to save the livelihoods of his small staff (Edward Asner, Penelope Anne Miller, David Krumholtz and Suzy Nakamura).
Meanwhile, he attempts to become a better father to his neglected daughter and get re-acquainted with his ex-wife (Joanna Kerns, guest-starring in the series premiere).
I’m reminded of the fate of Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, signed by CBS last season and wasted in a pro-forma office comedy, “Ink.” Hasn’t CBS learned that it takes more than a big name on the marquee to make a hit?
Selleck is that same lovable hunk who brightened “Friends” and shone so brightly in the feature film “In & Out.” Miller plays an Ivy League bean counter who wants to be one of the gang but is an awkward fit.
Asner is the grizzled creative director and father figure, a role he can play in his sleep - and it appears he is. Krumholtz and Nakamura portray those now familiar sitcom office types - he’s the geek, and she’s the quick-wit.
Hedy Burress (“Boston Common”) is full of comedic spunk as a daughter who wants to snowboard through Europe instead of starting college. Of course, she stays.
This benign comedy has little to say, and the attempts at comedy are neither original nor memorable.
Selleck has an airy humor that needs to be surrounded by more than this fluff. He was funnier on “Friends” as a cradle-robbing ophthalmologist.
Highlights
“While You Were Sleeping” (1995), NBC at 8: Sandra Bullock is charming in this lightweight comedy about a plucky token-booth clerk with a crush on a handsome commuter (Peter Gallagher) who’s mugged and goes into a coma. It’s a bit too cute but otherwise entertaining.
“Cosby,” CBS at 8: Hilton (Bill Cosby) gets a chance to be a guest on “Late Show with David Letterman,” but everything goes wrong on the way. Paul Shaffer and “Letterman” executive producer Rob Burnett guest-star.
“Will You Marry Me?” ABC at 8: Daisy Fuentes hosts this collection of offbeat and heartwarming proposals.
“The American Experience,” KSPS at 8 and Tuesday at 8: “Reagan” is the latest in the series of reports on American presidents.
Family, friends, biographers and government officials weigh in on Ronald Reagan’s life in and out of politics. Fair, thorough and revealing, it’s fine television.
“Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding” (1998), ABC at 9: The family drama concludes with Shelby (Halle Berry) coping with her dysfunctional family while having second thoughts about marrying Meade (Eric Thal). The interracial issues are compelling, but the soap-opera atmosphere is so contrived the story begins to work against itself.
Cable Calls
“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: This profile of Peggy Fleming turns out to be timely, as the Olympic gold medalist recovers from breast-cancer surgery.
“Spytek,” DISC at 8: This three-hour-long documentary separates spy fact from fiction. But some of the gadgets featured are right out of the James Bond movies.
It’s great viewing for anyone interested in the fine art of espionage.
“4 Little Girls” (1997), HBO at 9: This thoughtful, touching documentary has earned director Spike Lee a well-deserved Oscar nomination. It’s the story of the four children killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.
Interviews with friends, relatives and other observers recall a shameful era in American history.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Ali Landry.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actors Paul Newman and actor Jeff Bridges and singer John Fogerty.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Al Franken, Hector Elizondo and radio talk-show host Michael Reagan.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Shelley Winters and former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Matt Lauer (“Today”), Lisa Rinna (“Melrose Place”) and author James Ellroy. Repeat.