The good, bad and the ugly on the tube this past week:
RAVE
Another “Must See” showdown?
First, you had Friends attempting to compete with Survivor on Thursday nights. Friends pulled every trick imaginable to counter Survivor‘s mammoth ratings–including a surge in celebrity guest stars like a lesbian Winona Ryder and a cross-dressing Kathleen Turner–but CBS ruled nonetheless.
Now, it’s Frasier‘s turn.
Going up against ABC’s new Jason Alexander sitcom Bob Patterson, Frasier seems to be employing the same techniques as Friends did last spring. NBC recently announced that former Cheers stars Shelley Long and Bebe Neuwirth will be appearing on Frasier‘s one-hour season premiere: consider the gauntlet officially thrown down.
Now, this will be fun. If history repeats itself, NBC will continue to attract viewers with such “event” programming as this. Perhaps Daphne and Roz will share a sloppy girl-on-girl kiss? Or the staunch father, Martin Crane, will reveal his plans for a mid-season sex change? If we have another “Must See” battle on our hands, expect the most outlandish story lines imaginable. Play ball.
RANT
The Daly show
Carson Daly, the MTV hunk who hosts the wildly popular Total Request Live countdown show in Manhattan, will be maturing–a bit–as host of NBC’s perennially unseen talk show Later. In the mid-’90s, a brilliant host like Greg Kinnear couldn’t salvage the show. Hell, some T&A with Cindy Crawford behind the big desk (briefly) couldn’t cut it. But Daly? His fan base is still in training bras. If even that. The show signs off at 2:30 in the morning. His fans are practically preparing for homeroom at that time. Daly‘s a vibrant guy–almost a genius when it comes to music trivia–but this move feels all wrong. The Magic Hour wrong.
RAVE
Larry King: Journalist?
True, often Larry King sugarcoats his interviews with fluff questions posed to fluff guests–that is, when he’s not writing his meandering USAToday column. But on Wednesday night’s broadcast, featuring missing intern Chandra Levy‘s parents for the full hour, King hit hard, asking questions that would actually make you wince. He inquired about Chandra‘s mental health, the parents’ ability to properly raise a child, Chandra‘s similarities to Monica Lewinsky and other topics. Well done, Larry.
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RANT
Shark attack!
Following the recent rash of shark attacks off American waters, the news-magazine shows all felt the need to do pieces on “Why Sharks Attack” and “The Florida Frenzy.” Slick anchors warned us of the dangers. Survivors warned us of the terror. But when all was said and done, researchers and marine biologists jumped on camera to tell us not to worry–that sharks were “beautiful and graceful animals” and that they “don’t eat humans.” Whew. Now that’s a relief. Tell ya what: if these news magazines are straining to be fair, let’s send Stone Phillips and a university biology professor into the waters off Tampa and see what happens.
RAVE
Ming-Na returns to “ER”
Actress Ming-Na was recently asked by producers of ER to stay for another season, though her character was expected to disappear from the show following last season’s finale, ending her one-year stint. The offer should come as relief to die-hard fans of ER, which is losing original cast members daily, it would seem. Perhaps Maura Tierney‘s recent Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama woke up executive producer John Wells? Let’s hope so. With Eriq La Salle and Anthony Edwards departing in 2002, it’s the supporting cast that will have to carry the show. Wise move.
RAVE
The perfect storm…coverage
Gotta hand it to those troopers at the Weather Channel. Their coverage of Tropical Storm Barry last week was above par as usual. How much do they pay those reporters to get relentlessly pelted on a beach like that? Whatever the reason, they’re a brave bunch. Hmmm. Maybe we should throw Stone Phillips out there with them?
