Ice-Skating Show Slides On Contrivance
There are two kinds of figure skating.
There’s the drama of amateur skating that leads from the nationals to the world championship to the Olympics. Then there’s professional skating - the world’s best performing for cash.
But there’s no comparison between amateur competition and contrived pro events such as “The Battle of the Sexes on Ice,” airing at 8 on FOX.
Don’t get me wrong. You’re in for some fantastic skating in the two-hour-long telecast. But please. It’s just too cute; the skaters mug for the camera in boxing gloves and robes and talk mock trash to their opponents.
Worse is the goofy rhetoric by hosts James Brown (who knows next to nothing about skating), Susie Wynne and Peter Carruthers. Says Wynne: “The women will be a female force to contend with. All of the women bring something to this competition. They’ve got a style of their own. They’ve got a look, and they’ve got that old panache.”
What did she say?
Kristi Yamaguchi, Rosalynn Sumners, Liz Manley and Caryn Kadavy skate for the women, while Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Paul Wylie and Kurt Browning comprise the men’s team.
The skating is great, but the rest is just plain annoying.
Highlights
“The Nanny,” CBS at 8: A wealthy black woman (Telma Hopkins) contacts Fran (Fran Drescher) with news that she was switched at birth and that she is her biological mother. C.C. (Lauren Lane) jumps in to sell the story as a TV movie.
“NewsRadio,” NBC at 8: Jon Stewart guest-stars as the series moves to a new time. Stewart plays Matthew’s (Andy Dick) twin brother.
Huh? This seems as likely as Telma Hopkins being Fran Drescher’s mom.
“Temporarily Yours,” CBS at 8:30: Deb (Debi Mazar) has a little trouble with her decision to swear off men when she’s hired by a romance novelist. Stiffly funny John O’Hurley, who plays J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” guest-stars as the writer, whose prose borders on erotica.
“Arsenio,” ABC at 9:30: Michael (Arsenio Hall) is set to break a big sports story until he realizes the subject of his scoop is represented by wife Vivian’s (Vivica A. Fox) law firm. ESPN’s Roy Firestone has a cameo.
“Just Shoot Me,” NBC at 9:30: David Spade, by far the funniest character in this ensemble, is indignant when co-workers honor him on Secretary’s Day. He storms out of the office and ends up on the nightly news and, eventually, “The Tonight Show.” Jay Leno and Crystal Bernard guest-star.
“Prince Street,” NBC at 10: Gage (Vincent Spano) turns to Warner (Joe Morton) to stop a Russian mobster before he escapes to Italy. Also, Tasio (Lawrence Monoson) is assigned to protect a Turkish democratic leader (Don T. Maseng) who ends up being the target of assassins.
Cable Calls
“Town Hall,” COM at 10: A periodic series of town hall-style meetings begins with a look at sports in America hosted by CBS sports personality Pat O’Brien. He’s joined by comedians, athletes, journalists and other observers of the sports world.
The tongue-in-cheek debate was taped last week in New York City.
“Inside the Actors Studio,” BRAVO at 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.: Actress and director Lee Grant is profiled, with particular interest paid to her blacklisting following the 1952 House Un-American Activities Committee hearings. After being banned from the screen for 15 years, she won an Emmy for “Peyton Place.”
In 1975 she won an Academy Award for her role in “Shampoo.” And in 1985 her documentary “Down and Out in America” won another Oscar.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Phil Hartman (“NewsRadio”), Laura San Giacomo (“Just Shoot Me”) and a performance by Stomp.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Eddie Murphy, singer Tony Bennett and comedian Wayne Cotter.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Steve Lawrence, Elayne Boosler, historian Garry Wills and country singer Trace Adkins.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: MTV host Bill Bellamy and comedian Janine DiTullio.