Best viewing tonight is the Olympics

Mon., Aug. 16, 2004

Joel Brown The New York Times Syndicate

Live from Athens, it’s Saturday night — no, wait. It’s the Summer Olympics! And there really, really isn’t much else on tonight.

Prime-time festivities on NBC start at 8 and include the men’s team gymnastics medal final, as well as assorted swimming events and some volleyball. Bob Costas hosts.

There’s also hour upon hour of coverage on NBC’s corporate siblings, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Bravo and Telemundo. Detailed schedules for all these stations are at nbcolympics.com.

One final note: “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” are both pre-empted for the next two weeks for late-night Olympic coverage.

Highlights

“The Best TV Shows That Never Were,” ABC at 8: Unsold pilots featuring Keanu Reeves, William Shatner and many more. Also known as “TV That Wasn’t Good Enough the First Time But We’ll Show Now Since You’re Watching the Olympics.”

“Still Standing,” CBS at 8: Brian joins the staff at the store, and his work ethic makes his dad and the guys look like slackers. But will they corrupt him? Repeat.

“Yes, Dear,” CBS at 8:30: Kim is going to redo the fireplace. Without Greg. Repeat.

“Jurassic Park III” (2001), ABC at 9: Dinosaurs, Sam Neill. You know the drill.

“Everybody Loves Raymond,” CBS at 9: Ray’s buddy Gianni is supposed to be replacing the kitchen stove, but he never seems to finish. And Debra has had about enough. But can Ray step up? Repeat.

“The Casino,” Fox at 9: Tony Bennett headlines in the showroom! And the guy with the big marker returns. (Two reruns of “That ‘70s Show” air from 8 to 9.)

“Two and a Half Men,” CBS at 9:30: Charlie wishes his latest conquest would just leave, but she’s palling around with Jake and Evelyn. Repeat.

“CSI: Miami,” CBS at 10: Role-playing game ends in murder. Repeat.

Family Fare

“Pocahontas” (1995), DIS at 8: Mel Gibson and Linda Hunt are in the voice cast of this animated flick.

“7th Heaven,” WB at 8: Annie’s relief over her father’s death affects everyone. Repeat.

“Summerland,” WB at 9: Ava’s having trouble running the business alone. Repeat.

Cable Cast

“Speedway” (1968), CMT at 8: Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra and car-racing excitement! What’s not to like? Repeats at midnight.

NFL football, ESPN at 8: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers. The cabler takes over this preseason Monday night game from corporate sibling ABC.

“The Lion in Winter” (2003), SHOW at 9: Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close star in this cable movie as Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

“Jenna Jameson Special,” VH1 at 10: Apparently VH1 is taking off the gloves and everything else. Jameson, for the uninitiated, is a big-time porn star. And I have no idea what she’s going to do on VH1.

Late Night Talk

“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Matt Damon, Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony and musical guests the Hives.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Musical guests Incubus.

“Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” CBS at 12:35: Mark Ruffalo and musical guest X.

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