SOLID SHOW MAY GET OVERSHADOWED.Byline: David Kronke TV Critic Think of ``Deadline'' as the indie-film equivalent of ``The West Wing.'' In contrast to the latter series' big-name star power, ``Deadline'' - the latest from ``Law & Order's'' Dick Wolf - boasts some impressive actors known for their dynamic work in smaller, quirkier movies. Series star Oliver Platt is an inventive, funny performer who has lit up, among other things, ``The Imposters'' and ``Bulworth.'' Hope Davis, playing Platt's ex-wife, charmed with her neuroses in ``Next Stop Wonderland'' and ``The Daytrippers.'' Lili Taylor gave ``I Shot Andy Warhol'' its disquietingly quirky edge, Tom Conti was nominated for an Oscar for ``Reuben, Reuben,'' and Bebe Neuwirth, best-known as Lilith on ``Cheers,'' recently demonstrated the dangers of bananas in Woody Allen's ``Celebrity.'' Even better, these performers are given the opportunity to showcase their unusual and nuanced talents. Platt stars as Wallace Benton, an extravagantly talented and even more extravagantly flamboyant investigative reporter at a New York tabloid littered with eccentric personalities, played by the names listed above (you know the show's pure fantasy when someone mentions Benton's salary, which is more than those of entire departments at some newspapers). He also teaches an ethnically diverse university class, the members of which he routinely assigns scut work on his pieces. So far, ``Deadline'' stories are fairly humdrum - tonight's premiere finds Wallace racing against the clock to absolve ab·solve tr.v. ab·solved, ab·solv·ing, ab·solves 1. To pronounce clear of guilt or blame. 2. To relieve of a requirement or obligation. 3. a. To grant a remission of sin to. Death Row occupants his reporting helped incarcerate in·car·cer·ate tr.v. in·car·cer·at·ed, in·car·cer·at·ing, in·car·cer·ates 1. To put into jail. 2. To shut in; confine. ; a future episode involves a politician concealing a dubious past (no!). But snappy dialogue and the cast's resourcefulness elevate the show above its more pedestrian impulses. For example, a scene in which Taylor's character shares some random exposition with Wallace would be played straight on just about any other series; here, Taylor and Platt goof around winningly with candies while imparting the information. While its cast automatically makes ``Deadline'' a must-see, one wonders if Wolf's production team may be spreading itself too thin - in addition to this new series and two ``Law & Order'' series, NBC's asked him to fast-track yet another ``L&O'' show. It'd be a shame if this great show got short shrift while the ``L&O'' franchise devoured the airwaves. ``DEADLINE'' What: Drama about an eccentric, award-winning investigative reporter. The stars: Oliver Platt, Hope Davis, Lili Taylor, Bebe Neuwirth, Tom Conti. Where: NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. (Channel 4). When: 9 tonight. Our rating: Three stars What's not to love? No one would begrudge be·grudge tr.v. be·grudged, be·grudg·ing, be·grudg·es 1. To envy the possession or enjoyment of: She begrudged him his youth. See Synonyms at envy. 2. the cast of ``Everybody Loves Raymond'' a little fun on the company money, so it's nice to see everyone living it up in Rome. Tonight's fifth-season premiere is, however, in keeping with the nature of these kinds of ``very special'' episodes: In order to make room for some very pretty scenic vistas, it's not quite up to the series' usual laugh quotient. Thanks to Ray's mom Marie's (Doris Roberts) savings, the whole clan troops to Italy, where the family dynamic runs in ways you'd expect. Marie orders her troops around on tourist runs; Frank (Peter Boyle) grumbles amusingly; Debra (Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) enjoys the exotic culture, while Ray (Ray Romano) is a sad-sack grouse, particularly when it comes to Europe's vexing lack of stand-up stand·up or stand-up adj. 1. Standing erect; upright: a standup collar. 2. Taken, done, or used while standing: a standup supper; a standup bar. showers. Eternally mopey Robert (Brad Garrett), however, falls for a pretty local, much to her father's - and his mother's - consternation. ``I've never seen him so happy,'' Marie marvels, ominously adding, ``I don't like it.'' ``EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND'' What: Hourlong season premiere of the sitcom, finding Ray, et al., in Italy. The stars: Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett. Where: CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. (Channel 2). When: 9 tonight. Our rating: Three stars Networks' idea of family programs If ``Yes, Dear'' and ``Tucker'' represent the networks' idea of family programming, then maybe we should all be watching Cinemax After Dark, the cable channel's adult-oriented programming. ``Tucker'' will likely go down in history as the first show aimed at kids that opened with four consecutive (and not particularly amusing) jokes about teen-age erections. And managed to go downhill from there. Essentially ``Malcolm in the Middle'' recast with a young teen-ager, ``Tucker'' stars Eli Marienthal as a kid whose mom has just gone through a rough divorce and is stuck living with his harridan har·ri·dan n. A woman regarded as scolding and vicious. [Possibly from French haridelle, gaunt woman, old horse, nag. of an aunt (Katey Sagal of ``Married ... With Children''). Forced to room with a bully of a cousin and dumb, cartoonish misunderstandings the order of the day, not to mention jokes about homosexuality, incestuous in·ces·tu·ous adj. 1. Of, involving, or suggestive of incest. 2. Having committed incest. longings, voyeurism Voyeurism See also Eavesdropping. Actaeon turned into stag for watching Artemis bathe. [Gk. Myth.: Leach, 8] elders of Babylon watch Susanna bathe. and sexualizing teen girls, it's easy to sympathize with Tucker when he opines Opines are low molecular weight compounds found in plant crown gall tumors produced by the parasitic bacterium Agrobacterium. Opine biosynthesis is catalyzed by specific enzymes encoded by genes contained in a small segment of DNA (known as the T-DNA, for 'transfer DNA') , ``There's not a single decent thing about being here.'' The show is inappropriate for children and insulting to anyone else. ``Yes, Dear'' is only nominally better. It features a workable premise, if one that'd never be mistaken for fresh - of two young couples, one (Anthony Clark and Jean Louisa Kelly Jean Louisa Kelly (born on March 9 1972 in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.) is an American actress and singer. Her father was a high school English teacher and her mother taught piano [1]. Kelly graduated in 1994 from Columbia University's Columbia College with a B. ) are very uptight about raising their baby, while the other (Mike O'Malley and Liza Snyder) are seemingly brutally blase bla·sé adj. 1. Uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence. 2. Unconcerned; nonchalant: had a blasé attitude about housecleaning. 3. Very sophisticated. about their kids. When O'Malley - whose previous sitcom was canceled last season after only two episodes - is the funniest thing about a show (what? Jim Belushi's asking price hasn't dropped low enough yet?), one must be concerned. Clark is an inspired comic who has been run aground in uninspired TV vehicles (``Boston Common,'' ``Soul Man'') and is no better served by the material here. Kelly is ordered to smile beatifically at her man's japery, while Snyder is allowed to slip in a wan wisecrack wise·crack Slang n. A flippant, typically sardonic remark or retort. See Synonyms at joke. intr.v. wise·cracked, wise·crack·ing, wise·cracks To make or utter a wisecrack. now and again. Tonight's episode is about Kelly's character trying to wean her baby off breast-feeding breast-feeding /breast-feed·ing/ (brest´fed?ing) nursing; the feeding of an infant at the mother's breast. ; the words ``jugs'' and ``ass'' are typical punchlines Punchlines was a comedy game show series that was produced by LWT and aired on the ITV network from 1981 until 1984. The programme was hosted by Lennie Bennett. Series Guide
v. snug·gled, snug·gling, snug·gles v.intr. 1. To lie or press close together; cuddle. 2. securely between ``The King of Queens'' and ``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. ,'' ``Yes, Dear'' is ensured audience sampling, but its future is hardly assured. Just ask ``Ladies Man.'' ``YES, DEAR'' What: Sitcom about two couples with diametrically di·a·met·ri·cal also di·a·met·ric adj. 1. Of, relating to, or along a diameter. 2. Exactly opposite; contrary. di opposed theories on child rearing. The stars: Anthony Clark, Mike O'Malley, Jean Louisa Kelly, Liza Snyder. Where: CBS (Channel 2). When: 8:30 tonight. Our rating: One and one half stars ``TUCKER'' What: Sitcom about a teen and his divorced mom moving in with unpleasant relatives. The stars: Eli Marienthal, Katey Sagal. Where: NBC (Channel 4). When: 8:30 tonight. Our rating: One and one half stars CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) Oliver Platt and Lilli Taylor portray investigative reporters for a New York tabloid in ``Deadline.'' (2) Liza Snyder and Mike O'Malley ster in the new ``Yes Dear,'' at 8:30 tonight on CBS. (3) Eli Marienthal front left, is the teen star of ``Tucker,'' debuting at 8:30 tonight on NBC. (4) Ray Romano finds himself in Italy in the season premeire of ``Everybody Loves Raymond.'' |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion