‘Ellen’ Faces Tough Task In Pleasing Viewers
Television audiences certainly are fickle.
People say they want something different and that they’re tired of sitcoms that are all about how many laugh lines you can cram into each half-hour.
Along comes “Ellen” (ABC at 9:30), a comedy that is certainly different and one that is tackling hugely relevant issues.
And yet I hear folks complain that it’s not as funny as it was before Ellen (Ellen DeGeneres) came out last spring.
It’s naive to think that a gay lead character in an adult comedy can avoid bringing her sex life or her sexuality into every episode. All the heterosexual comedies are all about sex.
But I don’t think I’m naive. Maybe I’m just fickle.
Highlights
“Spin City,” ABC at 8: While this may seem like small potatoes compared to a certain Washington politician’s woes, Mike (Michael J. Fox) has his hands full trying to convince the mayor (Barry Bostwick) that it’s a bad idea to join an exclusive men’s club.
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: In a wild episode, Maxwell (Charles Shaughnessy) travels to the Middle East to rescue Fran (Fran Drescher) from a sultan (also played by Shaughnessy) who wants to keep her and Grace (Madeline Zima) as his love slaves.
“Murphy Brown,” CBS at 8:30: Murphy (Candice Bergen) reluctantly agrees to help produce a cable special celebrating her more memorable interviews. But when nostalgia sets in, she’s prompted to take off for Philadelphia and visit her childhood home.
“Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel,” CBS at 9: Bryant Gumbel does his part to promote CBS’ upcoming Olympic coverage with an interview with skater Tara Lipinski.
“Party of Five,” FOX at 9: We find out why Elliot (Christopher Gorham) has resisted Sarah’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) pleas to have sex: He’s more attracted to Bailey (Scott Wolf).
“PO5” fans should brace themselves. FOX indicated last week that all hell is going to break loose for the Salingers in February and March.
“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: In a topical hour, an accused killer’s lawyer bases his client’s defense on having watched too much television. (If there was anything to this, I’d be writing from death row.)
Cable Calls
“Roe vs. Roe: Baptism By Fire,” MAX at 8: This intimate portrait of Norma McCorvey - the “Jane Roe” of the landmark Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion - traces her remarkable journey from inadvertent pro-choice hero to born-again anti-abortion activist.
“Ralph Emery on the Record,” TNN at 7 and 11: Emery sits down with Naomi Judd, who discusses the life-threatening liver illness that ended her musical career. She also talks about her new book, “Naomi’s Home Companion,” a cookbook that’s part biography and part a guide to living.
You’ll enjoy this comfortable, casual and enlightening conversation.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Yasmine Bleeth and actor Djimon Hounsou.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Michael Keaton and music group Blues Traveler.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Michael Bolton, actor Michael Boatman, MSNBC contributor Betsy Hart and comic Lizz Winstead.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Diahann Carroll.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Bill Nye (“Bill Nye, the Science Guy”) and musical guest The Pat Mcguire Band.