Characters On ‘Bobby Earl’ Only Skin-Deep
If you’re a “Melrose Place” fan or are partial to daytime drama, you’re probably going to like CBS’ “What Happened to Bobby Earl?” at 9.
It’s filled with sex, betrayal and intrigue built around one-dimensional characters engaged in a paper-thin plot. It’s a basic morality tale with a beautiful seductress who’ll stop at nothing in her quest for power and money.
Drew Ebersole plays the title character, a handsome, likable kid from a working-class family who is the first of the Earls to attend college. His friendship with a fast-talking fraternity brother (Matthew Settle) leads directly to the lair of Chelsea Coates (Kristian Alfonso of “Days of Our Lives”).
She’s a scam artist masquerading as a businesswoman who manipulates the two young men into a life of crime.
Kate Jackson stars as Bobby’s mother, Rose. Needless to say, she’s the courageous mom who will attempt to save her son from destruction.
It’s familiar ground, which is no great sin. But aside from Rose, there’s little character development, especially when it comes to a convincing reason why Bobby suddenly becomes so gullible and greedy.
Bobby pays dearly. But like so much soap, his story will be rinsed from your memory before your head hits the pillow.
Highlights
“Son-In-Law” (1993), FOX at 8: Pauly Shore stars as an eccentric (and obnoxious) Los Angeles college student who accompanies a fellow student (Carla Gugino, until recently of ABC’s “Spin City”) on a visit to her Midwest farm home.
Her parents (Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett) and the rest of the family can’t relate to this space shot. Shore manages to wear down your resistance to his wacky but sincere character, and you almost end up pulling for him.
“Nova,” KSPS at 7: “Titanic’s Lost Sister” is a disappointing hour documenting Robert Ballard’s search for the Britannic, the nearly identical sister ship of the Titanic, sunk during World War I.
The discovery of the wreck is anticlimactic, and the murky underwater images aren’t as fascinating as the now-familiar Titanic pictures. There is, however, an interesting analysis of why the “unsinkable” ship went down.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: As a nervous Tim (Tim Allen) tries to impress Swedish businessmen interested in running “Tool Time” in Sweden, Drew Carey (“The Drew Carey Show”) shows up as an animal-control officer who makes a last-minute substitute guest appearance on the cable show.
“Spin City,” ABC at 9:30: Mike (Michael J. Fox) is rebuffed when he tries to put the moves on a tough-as-nails mayoral appointee (Constance Marie).
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: Katie Couric interviews O.J. Simpson investigators Philip Vanatter and Tom Lange.
Cable Calls
“Beyond Betrayal” (1994), LIFE at 9: Richard Dean Anderson, best known as one of television’s unfailing good guys on ABC’s “MacGyver,” plays an abusive cop obsessed with finding his ex-wife (Susan Dey).
The thriller has several strong elements, including a clever plot twist that comes out of nowhere as the bad cop manages to get his ex’s boyfriend (Dennis Boutsikaris) arrested for murder. Unfortunately, the TV movie races to a happy ending with Dey saving … the day.
“Sugar Hill” (1993), TNT at 8: Wesley Snipes and Michael Wright star as sibling drug dealers. Snipes’ character wants out of the business, which doesn’t go down well with his brother.
The below-average drama co-stars Clarence Williams III, Leslie Uggams, Abe Vigoda and Khandi Alexander.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Damon Wayans and singer Little Richard.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Tony Danza, actress Helena Bonham Carter and the Sun City Poms senior citizen cheerleading troupe.
“Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Norm MacDonald and Meat Loaf.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Reginald VelJohnson (“Family Matters”).