Hart Is No Clarissa In ‘Twisted Desire’
In her Nickelodeon series “Clarissa Explains It All,” Melissa Joan Hart was the kind of teenager parents can only hope for smart, honest, resourceful and loving.
In “Twisted Desire” (NBC at 9) Hart tries something a little different, playing a teen who dupes an infatuated suitor into killing her mom and dad. Why? Because they were too strict.
The fact-based TV movie gives Hart (who is 20 now and a part-time student at New York University) a chance to spread her wings. She succeeds, to a point, as a spoiled and devious sociopath.
Ultimately, she never quite overcomes her sweet-kid good looks and innocent demeanor. When she tries to talk tough, you just don’t buy it.
Daniel Baldwin and Isabella Hofmann (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) play her parents. And Jeremy Jordan plays the lovesick gas-station attendant she tricks into committing the murders.
The movie should scare the heck out of dads who feel as though they’re losing control of their teenagers. Baldwin is a bit over the top as an overbearing father who sets strict rules and unreasonably high expectations. But some parents will sympathize with how he can’t seem to impose limits without making his daughter hate him more and more.
“Twisted Desire” is such typical TV-movie fare that it’s hard to grade. But “Clarissa” fans can’t help but cringe a bit when they see her in this lower form of entertainment.
Highlights
“Larry McMurtry’s ‘Dead Man’s Walk”’ (1996), ABC at 9: In the three-hour-long conclusion, Call and McCrae (Jonny Lee Miller, David Arquette) and the rest of the Rangers are taken prisoner by Mexicans and sent off on a tortuous forced march.
Edward James Olmos is introduced as the Mexican officer who captures the cowpokes, not knowing that they’re being stalked by the murderous Comanche, Buffalo Hump. The best performances come from Keith Carradine and Harry Dean Stanton as frontiersmen Bigfoot Wallace and Shadrach.
Since Call and McCrae’s story continues in “Lonesome Dove,” you know they’ll survive, which makes the outcome fairly obvious. Warning: You may be a little saddle sore by the time this horse opera reaches the final act.
“Addams Family Values” (1993), FOX at 8: A sequel worth seeing, this creepy comedy reunites the original cast in a new caper. Fester (Christopher Lloyd) is courted by a gold digger (Joan Cusack), and Gomez and Morticia (Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston) hear the pitter-patter of little Addams’ feet.
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: Fran (Fran Drescher) goes looking for Mr. Right on a Caribbean cruise and is surprised to find that Maxwell (Charles Shaughnessy) has booked passage on the same ship. The episode was shot aboard a cruise ship off San Juan and St. Thomas.
“Chicago Hope,” CBS at 10: It’s a little far out. Three of Sutton’s (Jamey Sheridan) ex-wives (Tamlyn Tomita, Laraine Newman, Julie Cobb) show up at the hospital for treatment. Two of them - who are now lovers - ask for artificial insemination.
Cable Calls
“Singled Out,” MTV at 7 and 11: If dating in the ‘90s is a wild and unpredictable experience, this series is right on the money. A third season begins with a new announcer-roving reporter, comedian Royale Watkins. Jenny MCarthy and Chris Hardwick return as co-hosts.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35 : John Larroquette (“The John Larroquette Show”), actress Marla Maples Trump and 6-year-old actress Emily Young.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35 : Actor Paul Hogan and singer Natalie Merchant.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m. : Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”), Jill Hennessy (“Law & Order”) and musical guest Speech. Repeat.