‘Samantha’ falls short as comedy
What do you get when you combine amnesia, that ancient sitcom gimmick, with our contemporary obsession with spoiled, rich, selfish sociopaths like Paris Hilton? Throw in the consequence-free shopping obsession of “Sex & the City,” and you have the oddball premise for the would-be screwball comedy “Samantha Who?” (9:30 p.m., ABC).
Samantha (Christina Applegate) wakes up from a coma with no idea of who she is or what she’s done with her young life. Her glib, self-absorbed mother (Jean Smart) can be seen hovering with a camera, trying to turn Samantha’s plight into a guest spot on “Extreme Makeover.”
As hard as she tries, Applegate can’t save this sitcom on her own.
I should like a show that takes a dim view of selfish materialism, but Samantha’s bratty and now-forgotten life belongs in a much harsher satire, not in a comedy that aspires to the effervescence of a champagne bubble.
The chemistry here is entirely wrong. No wonder “Samantha” always feels flat.
The four-part series “The Mysterious Human Heart” (9 p.m. and 10 p.m., KSPS, concludes next Monday) explores the miracle of our most dependable organ.
Tonight’s first hour explores man’s long fascination with the heart and the evolution of cardiac medicine. Part 2 looks at the electrical impulses that get the muscle to beat more than 100,000 times per day and what happens when that heartbeat loses its rhythm.
Other highlights
The Indians and Red Sox meet in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (4 p.m., Fox).
Diamonds aren’t forever on “Chuck” (8 p.m., NBC).
Behind-the-wheel mayhem on “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 p.m., CW).
Hugh Grant puts a modest car to the test on “Top Gear” (8 p.m., BBC America).
Am I the only viewer having trouble keeping up with all of the new heroes on “Heroes” (9 p.m., NBC)?
The sextuplets turn 3 on “Jon & Kate Plus 8” (9 p.m., TLC).
Dan can’t resist the siren call of 1995 on “Journeyman” (10 p.m., NBC).
The Diamondbacks and Rockies meet in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (7 p.m., TBS).