‘Mork’ exposé on the ridiculous side
There are so many ridiculous and cringe-worthy aspects of the made-for-TV tell-all “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of ‘Mork & Mindy’.” (9 p.m., NBC) I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
This “Mork” mess puts acting newcomer Chris Diamantopoulos in the awkward and unforgiving position of having to imitate and impersonate Robin Williams, the most dynamic comic actor of his generation. Diamantopoulos acquits himself admirably, but the movie is still absurd.
Robin Williams is first seen playing for crowds in a San Francisco park, spinning off comic riffs and references from Shakespeare to “I Love Lucy” at a million rpm. He loves the counterculture. He’ll never sell out and do TV.
Cut to the set of “Happy Days,” where super-producer Garry Marshall (Daniel Roebuck, the homicidal teen from “River’s Edge”) has the brilliant idea of introducing a Martian character to Richie and the Fonz’s circle of friends. This allows us to see a ghastly evocation of Ron Howard (Shaw Madson) looking like a 50-year-old teenager. After the first Mork drops out, Williams is cast and TV history is made. Or, as one ABC suit says, “It’s like lightening in a bottle. And it’s our bottle!”
Williams’ ad-libbing alien is like nothing ever seen on a sitcom. He cracks up his cast mates and outrages the network censors. The show is a hit for the first season, until network suits interfere, fire half the cast and program it opposite Archie Bunker.
All of this is a mere backdrop to Williams’ descent into the rabbit-hole of superstar excess. He’s seen palling around with John Belushi (Tyler Labine). As season two begins production, Marshall and his cohorts start to suspect that their star may have a drug problem. And you thought Mork was the one who wasn’t familiar with life on planet Earth.
“Behind” drags the show through four tortured seasons, too many drug binges and John Belushi’s overdose death. Along the way, we get to see imitations of Pam Dawber (Erinn Hayes), Penny Marshall (Stacy Fair), Raquel Welch (Ona Grauer), Jonathan Winters (Jeff Skinner) and even Richard Pryor (Chris Shields).
“American Experience” (9 p.m., KSPS) explores the life and career of Mary Pickford, the silent-era actress known as “America’s Sweetheart” and the first real superstar of the cinema. Laura Linney narrates this bittersweet tale of a fatherless girl whose acting talents made her the breadwinner for her family at an early age.
The true-crime documentary series “The Staircase” (9 p.m., Sundance) will air every Monday in April. “Staircase” follows the trial of a military veteran and crime novelist accused of murdering his wife.
Tonight’s highlights
Overwhelmed parents push the panic button on “Nanny 911” (8 p.m., Fox).
A widow’s home remodeled on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: How’d They Do That?” (8 p.m., ABC).
The NCAA Basketball tournament (6 p.m., CBS) concludes.
The president wants to face the nation on “24” (9 p.m., Fox). Attention “24” fans! Fox considers this episode so pivotal that it will repeat it on Friday and Sunday evenings.
Alexa Vega stars in “Odd Girl Out” (9 p.m., Lifetime), a drama about teen girl bullies.
Four British brats battle the “Supernanny” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
A callous dentist (Kirstie Alley) is reincarnated as the Tooth Fairy in the 1997 cable comedy-fantasy “Toothless” (8 p.m., Disney). A million times funnier than the grim and depressing “Fat Actress.”
Series notes
On back-to-back episodes of “Two and a Half Men” (CBS), Teri Hatcher (8 p.m.), Heather Locklear (8:30 p.m.) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC) … Poker strategy on “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN) … Simon’s girl may have something extra on “7th Heaven” (8 p.m., WB).
Good publicity on “Cuts” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … Roses and poses on “The Bachelor” (9 p.m., ABC) … Malik Yoba guest stars on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … After the affair on “Summerland” (9 p.m., WB) … Mona is miffed on “Half & Half” (9:30 p.m., UPN).