‘Gump’ hugely profitable as well Oscar winner
Tonight’s must-see
“Forrest Gump” (1994), 8-11 p.m., ABC.
On rare occasions, a wildly popular film also becomes the Oscar front-runner.
That happened with the 1994 “Gump” and 1997 “Titanic.” In both cases, ratings for the Academy Award telecast soared.
More often, the nominees are semi-obscure. On the eve of its annual Oscar cast, ABC recalls a banner year.
“Gump” is the sweet-spirited fable of a slow-witted man, entangled in baby-boomer history. Its star (Tom Hanks), director (Bob Zemeckis) and writer (Eric Roth) all won Oscars.
Also, “Gump” was named best picture in a rare merger of art and commerce.
Tonight’s might-see
“Matchstick Men” (2003), 8-10:30 p.m., A&E.
A con man learns he has a teen daughter. Soon, his calculated life is wobbling. This a smartly crafted comedy-drama, with strong work from Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman and director Ridley Scott.
Other choices include
“Knight Rider,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. If you missed Sunday’s debut of this pilot film, here’s a second chance. A car gets chased for most of the two hours by unrelenting bad guys until a fierce crash near the end. The car is beautiful; so are the people, especially Sydney Poitier (Sidney’s daughter) as Hollywood’s idea of an FBI agent. There’s lots of running and driving; there’s also a brief appearance by David Hasselhoff, who is as stoic as ever.
Independent Spirit Awards, 10 p.m., AMC. Rainn Wilson of “The Office” hosts this ceremony, honoring the best of films made outside the Hollywood system. One of this year’s best-picture nominees (“Juno”) is also up for an Oscar. The others are “I’m Not There,” “A Mighty Heart,” “Paranoid Park” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”
“Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Tina Fey hosts, and Carrie Underwood is the musical guest.
Sunday’s must-see
“80th Annual Academy Awards,” 5:30 p.m., ABC.
With the writers’ strike settled this ceremony can return to full speed.
Jon Stewart, a clever guy on his own, has people writing for him. There will be stars and songs (three from “Enchanted”) and more.
This isn’t one of those “Titanic” years when the results are obvious. Only the best-actor winner (Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will be Blood”) seems like a sure thing.
His movie faces four strong contenders – “Atonement,” “Juno,” “Michael Clayton” and “No Country for Old Men.” The actress field – Julie Christie, Ellen Page, Cate Blanchett, Laura Linney and Marion Cotillard – is extremely impressive.
Sunday’s must-tape
“Masterpiece,” 9 p.m., KSPS Channel 7.
It’s the final night of the splendid, three-part “Pride and Prejudice.” Beneath his firm exterior, suspects Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle), Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) might be OK.
Other choices include
Academy previews, noon, E and TV Guide Channel. It’s all Oscar, all day.
Red-carpet specials, 3 p.m., E and TV Guide Channel. Ryan Seacrest leads E; TV Guide has Lisa Rinna and Joey Fatone.
“Barbara Walters Oscar Special,” 8:30 p.m., ABC. The only Oscar connection is an interview with Ellen Page, nominated for best actress in “Juno.” Also interviewed are Miley Cyrus, plus Harrison Ford and Vanessa Williams.
More red-carpet, 5 p.m., ABC. Now ABC gets its half-hour of pre-Oscar glitz.
“The Wire,” 9 p.m., HBO. McNulty’s scheme – creating a fake serial killer – has gone terribly wrong. Now real cases are losing their manpower to the pretend one. Meanwhile, a newspaper editor begins to probe a dishonest reporter.
“Dexter,” 10 p.m., CBS. Dexter – the serial killer who slays other serial killers – continues to be contacted indirectly by the “Ice Truck Killer.” Meanwhile, he probes a drunken driver; it’s a well-filmed, but grimly one-note hour.
“Breaking Bad,” 10 p.m., AMC. In a misstep, the show suddenly gives Walt an alternative way to pay for his cancer treatments; that saps much of the empathy for him, as he works his meth lab. There’s also a good step, though: A long scene of a suburban “intervention” (complete with hors d’oeuvres) is brilliantly done.