‘Dateline’ Question: Suicide Or Murder?
Was the death of multiple sclerosis victim Myrna Lebov assisted suicide or murder?
Stone Phillips, in an expanded news story on “Dateline NBC” at 9, examines the thin line between carrying out someone else’s wishes and satisfying one’s own need for relief from a daily burden.
Although Lebov left a suicide note, her friends, therapists and family believe she wasn’t ready to die. Her husband, who helped her end her life, believes she was ready. Or was he the one who was ready to see her die? Phillips gives a balanced report, quoting often from both Lebov’s and her husband’s diaries.
In other newsmagazine action tonight, Barbara Walters interviews actress Margot Kidder on ABC’s “20/20” at 10. Kidder was found, dazed and confused, in a back yard in California last April.
Highlights
“Janek: A Silent Betrayal” (1994), CBS at 8: The seventh in the series of detective movies finds police Detective Frank Janek (Richard Crenna) investigating a mass murder. The killings occur in an apartment building owned by a mean-spirited Broadway producer (William Shatner).
This one plays out like a “Perry Mason” whodunit. There are at least a half-dozen characters who might have had a motive when the backgrounds of the murder victims reveal that the building was a virtual Peyton Place.
“Mighty Ducks,” ABC at 8:30: Another animated series receives a prime-time preview. This one about the hockey-playing superheroes from the planet Puckworld has a few quack-ups as they follow villainous Lord Dragaunus to Earth.
“Saturday Morning Preview,” ABC at 9: Gather up the younger set (if they are still awake at this hour) to catch a preview of the network’s Saturday morning lineup. Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) hosts the half-hour, which includes highlights from debuting series, such as “Brand Spanking New Doug,” “Mighty Ducks,” “Bone Chillers” and “Flash Forward.”
“Nash Bridges,” CBS at 10: The network repeats the show’s series opener.
As you may remember, Johnson returned to television playing a San Francisco cop with a knack for using a little magic to save his skin now and then.
The show opens with a scene that’s right out of “Lethal Weapon” as Johnson’s devil-may-care detective displays nerves of steel in a wacko death-wish encounter with a gang of murderous computer-chip smugglers. From there the hour spirals into cliche and familiar chase scenes.
Cable Calls
“Species” (1995), SHOW at 8: Natasha Henstridge plays the half-human/half-alien monster desperate to mate. Only she kills potential partners when they fail to be perfect.
Gore mixes with commentary about today’s dating practices in this horror flick that’s more disgusting than humorous.
“Operation Dumbo Drop” (1995), DISN at 8:45: In this outrageously silly fact-based tale a group of American soldiers agrees to transport an elephant across Vietnam.
“A Walk in the Clouds” (1995), MAX at 8: The tears will be streaming down your face as you watch this sentimental tale about a World War II soldier (Keanu Reeves) who masquerades as the husband of an unmarried pregnant woman (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon).