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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Geographic’ Reviews Decade Of Adventure

Faye Zuckerman New York Times Syndicate

Nature buffs will be hard pressed to keep their eyes off “National Geographic Explorer: Ten Incredible Years,” TBS Sunday at 4 and 8. It’s a frenetic look at a broad range of remember-when footage introduced by Boyd Matson.

You’ll see bits and pieces of a decade of documentaries covering the Titanic, Bismarck, Antarctica, African wildlife and undersea moments. You’ll marvel at a double amputee climbing a mountain, volcano chasers and smoke jumpers.

It’s mind-numbing to see what risks some photographers will take for a good picture. Even more numbing is what some folks will do to show they can overcome either physical or environmental obstacles.

TBS’ launch of its “Destination Sunday” also includes a lifestyle documentary called “TOPX: Biker Women” (Sunday at 6 and 10). The hour often plays like a motorcycle commercial as women who love to ride bikes strike poses on their wheels while extolling the virtues of their favorite brand - Hog (biker twang for Harley-Davidson).

Cameras follow the four hard-driving motorcycle-loving women (one is married to Doobie Brother Patrick Simmons; another is the wife of actor Perry King) on a road trip from a riders’ convention in Sturgis, S.D., to their respective homes in California.

They get dirty, eat a lot and offer a glimpse at female bonding, which means they talk about how much they miss their kids, spouses and homes.

Highlights

“National Geographic Special,” NBC tonight at 8: “Arctic Kingdom: Life at the Edge” is a close-up look at polar bears, ringed seals, beluga whales and other remarkable arctic critters. Repeat.

“Moment of Truth: Broken Pledges” (1994), NBC tonight at 9: Linda Gray (“Dallas”) plays Eileen Stevens, the mother of a young man killed in a fraternity hazing. Outraged by the senselessness of her son’s death and the failure of authorities to prosecute, Stevens goes on a one-woman crusade to make hazing a crime.

This movie is about an hour and a half too long.

“Out of the Darkness” (1994), ABC Sunday at 9: Likable Diana Ross brings her special brand of vulnerability and compassion to the small screen in a rare TV appearance as a woman, Paulie Cooper, tortured by mental illness. The disease ruins her life and her relationship with her mother and daughter.

“Darkness” is a commitment. It’s not easy viewing, especially the scenes of Cooper’s bizarre behavior.

“A Place to Be Loved” (1993), CBS Sunday at 9: The soap flies in this recreation of the Gregory K case. You remember K (Tom Guiry), the 11-year-old who sued his biological mother so he could be adopted by a loving foster family. Repeat.

xxxx AREA MUSICIAN ON TNN Country music misfits and Rounder recording artists Wylie and the Wild West Show will appear today on “The Grand Ol’ Opry” on The Nashville Network at 5 p.m. Lead singer Wylie Gustafson hails from LaCrosse, Wash.