Ritter Rises To Role In ‘Unforgivable’
My hat is off to John Ritter. From “Three’s Company” to “Hearts Afire,” I’ve never been much of a fan.
But his portrayal of a wife abuser in fact-based “Unforgivable” (CBS at 9) is a stirring and memorable performance. Domestic abuse has rarely been better addressed than in this intense, thoughtful TV-movie written by A.R. Simoun and Dan Levine.
Ritter plays Paul Hegstrom, an overbearing and philandering car salesman who, as he’s introduced, has been beating his cowering wife Judy (Harley Jane Kozak) for 15 years.
His oldest daughter, a teenager, hates him. Her younger siblings fear him.
Paul leaves Judy and takes up with girlfriend Beth (Susan Gibney) - a violent liaison that nearly ends in her death. From her hospital bed, Beth gives Paul an ultimatum: Enter and complete a treatment program or face charges of attempted murder.
Reluctantly, he signs up. Kevin Dunn turns in a strong performance as the program’s director. James McDaniel (“NYPD Blue”) is superb as a fellow abuser.
But it’s Ritter who shines with an affecting portrayal of Paul’s transition from denial to acceptance of his problem. What’s best about the movie is that it shows that abusers can be helped.
It’s an inspiring story with an ending that might seem altruistic … except that it’s true.
Ritter, best known as a comic, deserves kudos. I hope many abusers see themselves in his character.
“Unforgivable” offers insight into the horrors of domestic violence and hope for those who want to change their lives.
Highlights
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: Tony Curtis guest-stars as a dance instructor that Bev (Estelle Parsons) falls for. But she hits the ceiling when she imagines that her daughter, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), is trying to cut in.
“Forces of Nature,” CBS at 8: The awesome power of giant waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanoes are featured in the first of what CBS is calling “Wild Tuesday” specials. The network is so desperate for ratings that it’s counting on viewers who will rubberneck at disaster footage.
“The Beverly Hillbillies” (1993), FOX at 8: If there is a hell, this probably would be the only movie playing at the Diabalo Bijou. Two words give you all the reason you need to tune out this big-screen version of the popular TV sitcom: Jim Varney.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: Oh how I love Harriet Sansom-Harris as Frasier’s outrageous agent, Bebe Glazier. In this hilarious outing, she’s engaged to the station’s new owner (Richard Hamilton), who orders Frasier to cure her smoking habit.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 8: “The Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson” fills in the early years of Jackson’s career as activist and leader. Correspondent Marshall Frady probes Jackson’s background and early rise in the civil rights movement.
In the hour’s conclusion, Frady suggests that Jackson has lost his following.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: Stone Phillips interviews Dennis Rodman of the NBA Chicago Bulls.
Cable Calls
“MTV News UNFiltered,” MTV at 7:30: The first of three nights of first-run editions of the viewer-produced newsmagazine includes a critique of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, a self-portrait of a graffiti artist and a discussion with a 15-year-old cancer patient who talks about chemotherapy and her hair loss. The telecast also airs at 4:30.
“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: “Mata Hari: The Seductive Spy” provides the juicy details of one of the world’s most famous secret agents. A dancer (1876-1917), who did her best spy work literally “undercover,” she worked for the Germans as well as the French during World War I.
The documentary declares that her execution in France may have been ” a miscarriage of justice.”
“Evening of Country Greats: A Hall of Fame Celebration,” TNN at 6 and 10: Contemporary country stars honor Bill Monroe, Pee Wee King, Gene Autry, Little Jimmy Dickens and the late Merle Travis.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: David Schwimmer (“Friends”).
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Barbara Walters (“20/20”), Anthony Clark (“Boston Common”) and musician Van Morrison.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Joan Lunden (“Good Morning America”) and spy expert H. Keith Melton.