Youth’s Recovery Truly ‘Extraordinary’
That even a cynic such as myself can get caught up in “Ordinary Extraordinary” (CBS at 9) proves why these shows fashioned after ABC’s “That’s Incredible!” live on.
Tonight’s special features stories that you just can’t turn away from. One in particular is, well, incredible.
Ahad Israfil, a Dayton, Ohio, youth, was shot in the head when he was mistaken for a robber. Literally half his brain was blown away.
He defied his doctors by living.
They said he would be in a vegetative state. Miraculously, he retained his speech and reasoning functions.
They said he’d never walk. Tonight, he walks.
Meet Israfil and the doctor who dedicated himself to the reconstructive surgery that restored the boy’s self-esteem. You won’t forget this one for a long time.
Warning: A few images of the youth before his skull was replaced may disturb some viewers.
It’s one of many amazing segments.
You’ve seen sky surfing. Wait until you see sky driving, as daredevils free-fall aboard modified junk cars.
In the studio, an Extreme Games bicycle champion zooms down a 40-foot-high ramp and completes a double backflip.
Mountain bikers fly down snowy ski runs at more than 100 miles an hour.
And Fan Yang, an amazing bubble-blower, demonstrates bubble-blowing skills that are mystifying.
John Ritter and Leanza Cornett host the extraordinary hour.
Highlights
“Candid Camera Across America,” CBS at 8: Hey, let’s make people look dumb!
Hidden cameras capture travelers in embarrassing moments in Santa Fe, N.M., San Francisco and the Arizona desert. Most offensive are a border guard telling motorists that Texas is closed and Susan Anton visiting an Oregon town she says she owns.
“Unsolved Mysteries,” NBC at 8: Find out what it’s like to be mugged online in a chilling segment featuring interviews with victims of “cyberstalking.”
“Boy Meets World,” ABC at 8:30: In the season finale, Cory (Ben Savage) is torn between two women: a college girl (Lisa Dean Ryan) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel). But Topanga makes the first move.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 9: A report examines a murder case in which the accused’s lawyers say he is genetically and biologically prone to violence. The reporter looks into whether science supports the “criminal brain” defense.
“Sabrina, The Teenaged Witch,” ABC at 9: Talk about your guilt trip. When Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) uses her witchy powers to sneak out to attend a rock concert, her guilty feelings about disobeying her aunts cause her to shrink.
“20/20,” ABC at 10: Apparently not all sunscreen products are equal. An investigation alleges that some don’t protect you from the dangers of too much sun.
Cable Calls
“Round Robin,” COM at 7: The Comedy Channel devotes an evening to Robin Williams, beginning with the actor-comedian as host of a “Saturday Night Live.” At 8, it’s Williams in “Cadillac Man,” followed by his “Off the Wall” stand-up special at 10. (All three features are repeated at 11 and again Saturday at 11 a.m.)
“City Hall” (1996), SHOW at 8: Al Pacino plays the mayor of New York City in this complex and often engrossing morality tale. John Cusack plays Pacino’s idealistic deputy mayor.
A shootout leaves a cop and a drug dealer dead, along with a 6-year-old bystander.
The incident reveals dirty secrets between the mayor and the mob. It plays out brilliantly at times, but its pace and a cop-out ending mar the whole film.
Danny Aiello, Martin Landau, Tony Franciosa and Bridget Fonda co-star.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: MTV’s Jenny McCarthy and reptile expert Clyde Peeling.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Roseanne (“Roseanne”), 7-year-old chef Justin Miller and musician Chuck Berry.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: French Stewart, president of the Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and actress Jenica Bergere.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Mary Steenburgen (“Ink”).
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Luke Perry and actress Joey Lauren Adams.