`RAYMOND,' 'EVERWOOD,' CARVE QUALITY SHOWS.Byline: David Kronke Television Critic AS ANOTHER TV season grinds to an end, a veteran show tonight demonstrates the secrets to enduring in prime time, while a new series aims for the fences with a brave, sensitive episode on a controversial topic. ``Everybody Loves Raymond'' has gotten sidetracked, to a minor degree, by Robert's (Brad Garrett) impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. nuptials. Much of this season's story arc has focused on eliciting ``awwws'' from the studio audience and stunt casting, admittedly of a high degree - Fred Willard, Georgia Engel and Chris Elliott play the loony family of Robert's intended. (More than half of those responding to an online CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. poll think Robert shouldn't be married off this season). Tonight's episode returns to the show's principal strengths - the eternal friction/frisson between Ray (Ray Romano) and Debra (Patricia Heaton). Again, a simple plot device is employed - a suitcase each thinks the other should have taken the time to unpack See pack. after a trip turns wretchedly divisive - and again, the execution and payoff are expertly hilarious. As is the knowing denouement de·noue·ment also dé·noue·ment n. 1. a. The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot. b. , suggesting that men's cluelessness isn't so bad when the alternative is a grudge to which the rest of the world is oblivious. Meanwhile, things are also looking bright for the WB's elegant soap opera, ``Everwood,'' the first show to work for the network in the tricky Mondays-at-9 p.m. time slot. Tonight's episode tackles the divisive issue of abortion. Andy (Treat Williams) is asked by a teen girl's father to terminate her reckless pregnancy (the boyfriend has disappeared), and he grapples with both his own conscience and the town's conservatism. Shows dealing with this subject often cop out, with either a false pregnancy false pregnancy n. A usually psychosomatic condition, occurring in both males and females, in which physical symptoms of pregnancy are manifested without conception. Also called pseudocyesis, pseudopregnancy. or a miscarriage after a rote debate on the issue, but ``Everwood,'' to its credit, holds its ground, sadly admitting there are no easy answers. But that's to be expected: ``Everwood'' has improved the reputation of prime-time soaps with spiffy spiffy - /spi'fee/ 1. Said of programs having a pretty, clever, or exceptionally well-designed interface. "Have you seen the spiffy X version of empire yet?" This was common mainstream slang during the 1940s. 2. writing and solid acting. And Ephram's (Gregory Smith) multitude of fans get an added bonus tonight, as his tortured relationship with Amy (Emily Van Camp) seems to take an encouraging turn. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND Everybody Loves Raymond is an American sitcom originally broadcast on CBS from 1996 to 2005. It is one of the most critically acclaimed American sitcoms of its time. - Three and one half stars What: Ray and Debra enjoy one last blowout before Robert's big wedding. Where: CBS (Channel 2). When: 9 tonight. In a nutshell: A half-hour of what the show does best - hilariously vindictive bickering bick·er intr.v. bick·ered, bick·er·ing, bick·ers 1. To engage in a petty, bad-tempered quarrel; squabble. See Synonyms at argue. 2. . EVERWOOD - Three stars What: Episode dealing with teen pregnancy and abortion. Where: WB (Channel 5). When: 9 tonight. In a nutshell: A difficult subject delicately handled. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: A yet-to-be-unpacked suitcase sparks another argument between Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton in ``Everybody Loves Raymond.'' |
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