Muppets fall short in retelling ‘Oz’
This “Wizard” is odd. The folks at “The Wonderful World of Disney” have cast R&B star Ashanti in “Muppets Wizard of Oz” (8 p.m., ABC), based on one of the most beloved musical films of all time, but have decided to do away with the songs.
OK, Ashanti does sing a bleak, hip-hoppy theme song about getting out of Kansas, and Miss Piggy (as the Wicked Witch in black leather) warbles about being a “diva,” but these are exceptional musical moments in a gag-heavy parody of a beloved classic that often falls far short of enchanting.
Let’s start with Dorothy.
In the Judy Garland original, Dorothy runs away from home because she’s hurt and confused, rather typical feelings for an adolescent.
In the Ashanti version, Dorothy wants to blow out of Kansas because she needs to be a big star. This starlicious attitude sets the tone for the “Muppets” misadventure.
Queen Latifah co-stars as Aunt Em, the no-nonsense owner of a Kansas diner, where Dorothy and Uncle Henry (David Alan Grier) serve breakfast specials and sloppy joes to truck drivers. Dorothy wants more.
As we know, a twister obliges her and sends her to Oz, along with her pet prawn Toto (don’t ask).
Even the casting of the Muppets, with the Scarecrow (Kermit), the Tin Thing (Great Gonzo) and the Lion (Fozzie Bear), robs this “Oz” of its essential story.
As everyone knows, in the movie, these characters are dreamlike composites of people from Dorothy’s past. But here everything is sacrificed on the altar of entertainment in-jokes.
The poppy field scene is transformed into a druggy trip (or at least a druggy trip as imagined by the set director of “The Dating Game”).
And, as if to prove that he has to appear in virtually everything, director Quentin Tarantino makes a cameo appearance as himself.
Correspondent Elizabeth Vargas travels to Jerusalem and elsewhere in the Middle East for the “20/20” special, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Searching for Answers” (10 p.m., ABC). Vargas speaks with historians and theologians about divergent views on the event at the center of the Christian faith.
For some, Christ’s resurrection and his physical presence on Earth for days and weeks after his crucifixion is an axiomatic fact.
“He would be palpable, he would be physical, he would be tangible,” says William Lane Craig, tesearch professor at the Talbot School of Theology.
Others don’t share that view. Some feel that the apostles and those close to Jesus were in a kind of dream state. Perhaps they were hallucinating, others contend.
Other highlights
Dr. Phil McGraw hosts a prime-time special “Escaping Addiction” (8 p.m., CBS). What if you’re addicted to Dr. Phil?
Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow star in the 2001 comedy “Shallow Hal” (8 p.m., Fox).
Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger star in the 2002 adaptation of Janet Fitch’s novel “White Oleander” ( 9 p.m., Lifetime).
Judi Dench, Cher, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith and Lily Tomlin star in director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1999 autobiographical drama “Tea with Mussolini” (9 p.m., Pax).
On three episodes of “Reba” (WB), Dolly Parton (8:30 p.m.), tipsy suspicions (9:00 p.m.), and Van’s football dreams take a hit (9:30 p.m.). The middle episode is the season finale.
Merv Griffin receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards (9 p.m., CBS).
A victim of police brutality stands accused on “Law & Order: Trial By Jury” (10 p.m., NBC).
Cult choice
A grieving couple (Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman) on a recuperative cruise encounter a seagoing psychopath (Billy Zane) in the 1989 thriller “Dead Calm” (8:20 p.m., Cinemax).
Series notes
Tyra Banks hosts two hours of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN) … Vince goes to Florida on the season finale of “What I Like About You” (8 p.m., WB).