Another Sleaze-Loaded Show Thrown Into Fox Lineup
You don’t need to see his name on the credits to know that Aaaron Spelling is behind “Pacific Palisades,” which debuts on FOX at 9.
Who is better at placing beautiful people in an exotic local where overacting is the order of the day? “Attractive young professionals on the fast track to fame, fortune, scandal and ruin,” reads the FOX press material. Hmmm. I wonder why FOX has not made tonight’s episode available for review?
The action centers around Nick and Joanna Hadley (Jarrod Emick, Michelle Stafford), a couple from the Midwest who have recently arrived in the tony Southern California community where he’s landed a job as an architect.
They find a place to live near their former college classmates, Robert and Kate Russo (Greg Evigan, Finola Hughes), whose marriage is about to fall apart - mainly because he’s having an affair with his employee Jessica Mitchell (Jocelyn Seagrave).
Other characters include Matt Dunning (Lucky Vanous), a contractor with a mean streak; Laura Sinclair (Kimberley Davies), a real-estate agent who will do whatever it takes to close a deal; Joanna’s troubled teen sister Rachel (Natalia Cigliuti); and plastic surgeon Cory Robbins (Joel Wyner).
The series was created by Dianne Messina Stanley and James Stanley, who gave us “Savannah.” Need we say more?
Highlights
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: Fran (Fran Drescher) is envious when her high school rival (Jane Sibbett) is cast in Maxwell’s (Charles Shaughnessy) new play. The feud plays out as the Sheffields prepare to celebrate Passover with Sylvia (Renee Taylor).
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 8: Grace (Brett Butler) isn’t sure what to do when a married neighbor (Garrett M. Brown) begins to flirt with her. At the same time, the normally unflappable single mom is unnerved when Jean (Peggy Rea) starts having severe memory losses.
“The Single Guy,” NBC at 8:30: Sam and Trudy (Joey Slotnick, Ming-Na Wen) hire an au pair (Tushka Bergen), who is so good they try to sabotage her career as a recording artist. Meanwhile, Jonathan (Jonathan Silverman) has his own designs on her future.
“Scientific American Frontiers,” KSPS at 7: Host Alan Alda explores the world of advanced robots. You’ll be amazed at how these machines do far more than waddle about and perform simple tasks. They use artificial intelligence to solve problems.
“American Masters,” KSPS at 8: “Man Ray: Prophet of Avant-Garde” is a portrait of Man Ray (1890-1976): photographer, painter, filmmaker, poet and essayist considered by many to be the father of American modernism. Stockard Channing narrates the hour.
“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: Briscoe and Curtis (Jerry Orbach, Benjamin Bratt) perform classic legwork when a naked, unidentified dead woman is found in a high-rise elevator. Once they make a collar, Ross (Carey Lowell) must deal with a lecherous judge (Jerry Adler) who’s on the make.
Cable Calls
“The 1997 Masters Tournament Special,” USA at 8: Arnold Palmer and Nick Faldo are interviewed as part of the hour-long special on the eve of golf’s most storied gathering. USA covers the first two rounds tomorrow and Friday at 4 p.m. CBS has the weekend action.
“David” (1997), TNT at 5, 7 and 9: In the conclusion of the two-part Bible epic, David (Nathaniel Parker) fends off an attempt by his son Absolom (Dominic Rowan) to have him killed. The violent tale is more soap opera than docudrama. But it follows the original text religiously.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”), director Carl Reiner and singer Sheryl Crow.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Talk-show host Charles Grodin and singer Matthew Sweet.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Elizabeth Perkins and political consultant Jay Severin.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Joan Lunden (“Good Morning America”), actor Jon Voight and comedian Louis C.K.