‘Ladies Night’ based on actual events
Female bank executives lead lives of quiet desperation. It takes only a few kind words, a back rub and a pitcher of cosmopolitans to turn them into embezzling love slaves.
That’s the sad moral of the made-for-cable movie “Ladies Night” (9 p.m. tonight, USA).
Based on true events, the film follows the charming predator Art Kirkland (Paul Michael Glaser) as he and his son seek out lonely women with access to large sums of money to wine, dine, bamboozle and then murder. His trail of evil comes to light only when insurance investigators Jesse Grant (Colin Ferguson) and Susan Vercillino (Claudette Mink) attempt to recover embezzled funds for a powerful client.
While the conclusion is never in doubt, “Ladies” is an enjoyable TV thriller with interesting themes and familiar faces. After all, once you strip away that shower business and mother-obsession, what “Psycho” but a tale of a lovesick embezzler on the run?
“Live from New York: The First 5 Years of ‘Saturday Night Live’ ” (9 p.m., Sunday, NBC) offers classic clips and many new anecdotes from those present at the creation, including producer Lorne Michaels. More than a collection of famous bits, “Live” concentrates on the chemistry and combat between performers, writers and NBC as they all cohabitated in Rockefeller Center.
“Live” gives as much credit to the writers as to the comics. And we learn that many of the performers, including Chevy Chase and Garrett Morris, were originally hired as writers, while others, including Al Franken, served in both capacities. Complete with musical performances by Elvis Costello, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, George Harrison and Paul Simon, this is a must for fans of the series.
Today’s highlights
The Sundance Film Festival isn’t the only major winter event in Park City, Utah. Mogul and aerial skiers complete in the Freestyle International Cup (noon, NBC).
Tom Hanks, David Morse and Michael Clarke Duncan star in the 1999 prison drama “The Green Mile” (8 p.m., ABC).
John Astin, Ryan Reynolds and David Paymer star in the 2003 cable drama “School of Life” (8 p.m., Family).
John Fogerty and Keith Urban share songs on “Crossroads” (9 p.m., CMT).
Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (10 p.m., CBS): A woman embroiled in a custody case takes on a corrupt judge.
Susan Sarandon guest-stars on “MAD TV” (11 p.m., Fox).
Sunday’s highlights
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): an interview with Chris Rock; rape in the military.
Seven former NBA pros compete to become an on-air analyst on “Dream Job” (4 p.m., ESPN).
A swinger’s artifact proves deadly on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (8 p.m., NBC).
A Springfield resident reveals a big secret as Homer officiates at a same-sex marriage on “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox).
Bursting pipes are just the beginning on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m., ABC).
“Homeless in Paradise” (5 p.m., Discovery Times) looks at how the city of Santa Monica, Calif., copes with a growing homeless population
A burnt-out L.A. detective (Tom Selleck) relocates to New England in the 2005 mystery “Stone Cold” (9 p.m., CBS), co-starring Mimi Rogers.
Mike becomes a suspect on “Desperate Housewives” (9 p.m., ABC).
Denny Crane (Freddie Prinze Jr.) returns on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
The Oscar-nominated star of “Ray” hosts the comedy showcase “Jammie Foxx’s Laffapalooza” (10 p.m., Comedy Central).
“The L Word” (10 p.m., Showtime) enters its second season.