‘Homicide’ Tackles Case Of Murdered Priest
Peter Gerety, one of the newest members of the cast of “Homicide: Life on the Street,” plays a critical role in a gripping two-hour-long episode at 9 in which the Baltimore cops must stop a priest killer.
Detectives Stuart Gharty (Gerety) and Laura Ballard (Callie Thorne) investigate the bludgeoning death of an activist priest. The primary suspects are two young Central American refugees.
In many ways, this is a typical “Homicide” - tough, gritty and filled with those sweaty interrogation scenes. But Gharty, who is Catholic, takes the killing personally. I’ve said before that what sets this crime series apart is its strong development of characters. Gerety, who joined the cast full time this season, has been quietly coming into his own in the ranks of this talented ensemble.
Detective Gharty is someone who has seen Baltimore change in his lifetime. And not for the better. When his most cherished institution is violated, it cuts him to the core. Gerety renders an emotional performance that gives the story that extra edge.
“Homicide” fans, by the way, have reason to rejoice. Despite rumors the show would shut down production this spring, NBC recently renewed the drama for the 1998-99 season.
Highlights
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 9: Profiled is Steve Irwin, a crocodile trainer at Australia’s Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, who says he can train and educate crocs to live peacefully alongside humans.
“The Gregory Hines Show,” CBS at 8:30: Ben (Gregory Hines) dates a younger woman who has another boyfriend and a visiting father (guest star Ernie Hudson) who gives him the third degree.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guest stars.
“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” ABC at 9: Don’t you just hate when this happens? Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) comes down with a case of “finger flu,” which causes her magic to be transferred to Mrs. Quick (Mary Gross) who accidentally turns Mr. Craft (Martin Mull) into a chimp.
“Millennium,” FOX at 9: Although I find this series’ stories to have a certain sameness - Black is forever racing against time to stop a serial killer - the performances hold the drama together nicely. And the stories are topical, too. In this week’s chiller, Black (Lance Henriksen) tries to nab a killer who broadcasts his murders over the Internet.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: Barbara Walters sits down with Microsoft’s Bill Gates, who talks about being the richest man in the world and his battle with the Justice Department over his alleged anti-competitive strategy to corner the web-browser market.
“Nash Bridges,” CBS at 10: Bridge’s (Don Johnson) boss (Daniel Roebuck) forces the San Francisco cop to take 317 days of accumulated vacation time, effectively taking him off the force for over a year. No way. Bridges works secretly with Joe (Cheech Marin) to solve a string of bank robberies.
“Tennis,” ESPN at 6:30: From Melbourne, it’s the women’s finals of the Australian Open. Live.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”) and singer Sarah McLachlan.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Ethan Hawke and comedian Mitch Hedberg.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Scott Thompson, Robert Goulet, actress Alex Kingston and producer Doug McIntyre.