‘To Wong Foo’ Moves Out Of The Norm
One of the reasons we’re lucky to have FOX is that it will try things the former “Big Three” networks would never dare touch.
Such is the case at 8 when FOX screens 1995’s “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.”
Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo star as a trio of professional drag queens who set out by car from New York to Los Angles to take part in a drag contest. Their car breaks down in a small town, where they are met at first with hostility, but end up teaching nearly all a lesson in humility and open-mindedness.
It is such a silly and altruistic plot that you have to wonder why anyone would want to put it on film. But macho Swayze, Snipes and Leguizamo seem so at ease in their unlikely roles (Swayze and Snipes, anyway) that every minute of this movie leaves you wondering how they manage to pull it off.
Stockard Channing, Arliss Howard and Blythe Danner co-star in the surprisingly wholesome tale.
It’s not for everyone. But it is outrageous throughout and at times pleasantly funny.
Highlights
“JAG,” CBS at 8: Chegwidden (John M. Jackson) calls for an investigation when his mentor’s death during a hunting trip is ruled a suicide. Even though Harm and Mac confirm the admiral took his own life, Chegwidden conducts his own probe. He finds evidence of foul play but at the same time becomes a murder suspect himself.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Always-funny Nathan Lane (“The Birdcage”) guest-stars as the film professor who was Jamie’s (Helen Hunt) first lover. When he invites Paul (Paul Reiser) to be a guest lecturer, the prof becomes convinced Paul is plotting to kill him.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: I get a kick out of Marsha Mason as Martin’s (John Mahoney) rough-around-the-edges girlfriend Sherry. This time, Frasier and Niles (Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce) create more madcap moments when they suspect that pop is about to pop the question.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 9:30: When Grace (Brett Butler) and D.C. (Don “D.C.” Curry) become the subject of a nasty rumor, she turns the tables by spreading false gossip about other people in town. She’s shocked when the story she plants about Russell (Dave Thomas) turns out to be true.
“Dellaventura,” CBS at 10: “West Side Story” and “Romeo and Juliet” inspire this episode in which love-struck teens - one Asian and one Italian-American - turn to Dellaventura (Danny Aiello) for help to keep their respective families from declaring war on each other.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: In a plot that sounds more like a “Millennium” story line, Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) try to determine who killed a young woman and disposed of her body in a carved wooden box.
Cable Calls
“Workin’ Man: A Tribute to Merle Haggard,” TNN at 6 and 10: This star-filled special is “must see TV” for honky-tonk fans as Haggard is toasted in song by George Jones, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Ricky Van Shelton, John Anderson, Daryle Singleton, Little Jimmy Dickins and Sara Evans.
The two-hour-long event, taped at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, includes a biographical sketch of the revered singer-songwriter, with the likes of Alan Jackson, Wynonna and Lee Roy Parnell discussing the influence of Haggard’s music.
“Skating,” TBS at 7:05: Elvis Stojko is king in “Elvis on Ice,” an exhibition taped in Toronto. Nancy Kerrigan, Rudy Galindo and Elizabeth Manley also perform.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Mira Sorvino, director Rob Reiner and singer Tina Turner. Repeat.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Bill Pullman, comedian Jim Breuer and singers Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Charlton Heston, Dana Gould, Alan Rachins and commentator Heather Higgins.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Entrepreneur Merv Griffin and author Gregory Jaynes.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m. : Actor John Goodman, Gloria Reuben (“ER”) and musical guest The Afghan Whigs. Repeat.