‘High Incident’ Scores For Relevance
“High Incident” (ABC at 8) concludes its first full season with an episode inspired by a harrowing recent event.
The El Camino officers respond to a bank robbery in progress and find they are confronted by a team of robbers outfitted with the armor and firepower of a SWAT unit.
The episode (unavailable for review) focuses on an unsettling concern. Before a similar incident in Southern California earlier this year, most people were aware that police officers sometimes find themselves up against criminals armed with military-grade automatic weapons.
But the notion was that it was an inner-city phenomenon, usually involving gangs and drugs. That it happened in a relatively peaceful suburb was a shocker.
Give this series credit for performing as well as might be expected in a tough time period.
Highlights
“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 8: This show always manages to find a tempting hook, and this one’s a doozy. Tim Conway and Harvey Korman (“The Carol Burnett Show”) guest-star as feuding former comedy partners.
Conway’s character turns to Sloan for help when his ex-partner’s wife, who is also his own ex-wife, is murdered.
In a second first-run episode at 9, Sloan has his hands full when a mad bomber he helped convict escapes from prison, swearing revenge.
“Friends,” NBC at 8: NBC pulls out all the stops for May ratings “sweeps,” pumping up one of its top comedies with guest appearances by Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, who just happen to be out plugging their new movie, “Father’s Day,” these days.
“Suddenly Susan,” NBC at 8:30: In the season finale, Jack (Judd Nelson) loses The Gate in a poker game involving Donald Trump, Mr. T, John McEnroe and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. The big winner is Jack’s friend Cooper (Brian McNamara), whom Susan (Brooke Shields) can’t stand … at first.
“Lethal Weapon 3” (1992), ABC at 9: Though it might be impossible to match the action and drama of the original “Weapon,” this effort clearly is a case of overkill. Danny Glover and Mel Gibson reprise their roles as police detectives.
This time, they battle a former cop who runs an illegal gun operation. Rene Russo co-stars.
“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: Correspondents track the high-speed lives of emergency paramedics who answer 911 calls in Phoenix, Ariz.
“ER,” NBC at 10: In an emotionally draining episode, Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Caron) face difficult choices when she goes into labor two months early. Also, a bad day for Carter (Noah Wyle) causes second thoughts about his career to surface.
Cable Calls
“With Hostile Intent” (1993), LIFE at 9: Mel Harris and Melissa Gilbert are Long Beach, Calif., policewomen sexually harassed by fellow cops. The well-executed movie works especially well because neither character is flawless. Based on an actual account.
“Warlock” (1991), TBS at 9: Intense performances by Julian Sands in the title role and Richard E. Grant turn this horror-fantasy into above-average and sometimes shocking fare. They play a murderous witch and his pursuer who leap in time from 1691 Boston to 1988 Los Angeles.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Noah Wyle (“ER”), model Rebecca Romijn and singer Cyndi Lauper.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor-comedian Billy Crystal, Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) and musical group The Bee Gees.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Scott Thompson, actress Christa Miller, publisher Andrew Sullivan and talk-show host Floyd Brown.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager”) and musical guests Huey Lewis and the News.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Mike Myers, Jerry O’Connell (“Sliders”) and musical guest Alison Krauss and Union Station.