‘Drew Carey’ Has Rotten Time In Big Apple
Something in the way he moves attracts laughs like no other comic.
Drew Carey is at it again in the season finale of ABC’s “The Drew Carey Show” at 9, which features one of the series’ trademark music videos.
But before the song and dance begins, it’s a New York City road trip for Drew and his ever-present buddies.
Their first experience in the Big Apple is an unfriendly welcome from Donald Trump. Then their Buzzmobile is almost rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Carol Channing.
And then it’s a run-in with a cop played by Nick Turturro (“NYPD Blue”).
Having had enough, they motor back to Cleveland with plans to unwind at a midnight showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” But when they show up, Mimi (Kathy Kinney) and her friends are there to see “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” which has replaced “Rocky Horror.”
You might be reminded of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video as Drew and his gang and Mimi with a dozen drag queens go toe to toe. Drew’s crew does the “Time Warp” from “Rocky Horror,” and Mimi and her pals dance and lip-sync to “Shake Your Groove Thing.”
Wild stuff.
This show has a style all its own. There are times when the writing could be better; in some ways tonight’s outing is an example. There’s practically no plot.
But Carey is unique among today’s comedy stars. And man, can he shake it.
Highlights
“Coach,” ABC at 8: Talk about an odd ending. In the hourlong series finale, Hayden and Christine (Craig T. Nelson, Shelley Fabares) sneak off to their cabin in the Minnesota woods to reflect on their past and ponder their future. They encounter three brothers named Larry, Darryl and Darryl.
William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss and John Volstad reprise their goofy “Newhart” roles. Plenty of clips are ready to roll as ABC bids the series adieu.
“The Naked Truth,” NBC at 8:30: Nora and Camilla (Tea Leoni, Holland Taylor) are jailed for refusing to reveal the source on a story about “X-Files” star David Duchovny’s secret sex life. Pretty good subtext, eh?
“Great Performances,” KSPS at 9: “Burt Bacharach … This is Now” is a song-filled profile of the composer featuring interviews and performance clips, including a reunion concert with Dionne Warwick
“The Last Don” (1997), CBS at 9: The miniseries roars to a bloody climax as Cross (Jason Gedrick) gets hit where it hurts him most and then sets his sights on revenge. Miscast Daryl Hannah not withstanding, this is one of the best crime dramas the networks have offered in a long time.
Bring on the sequel.
“PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: Holy prime-time hype! George Clooney, star of this summer’s new “Batman” movie, chats it up with Cynthia McFadden.
Cable Calls
“Judith Krantz’s ‘Torch Song”’ (1993), LIFE at 9: This sob story stars Raquel Welch as a boozing movie star who falls for a firefighter (Jack Scalia). Together, they try to recover from alcoholism and prove to friends and family that they can make glorious music as a couple.
“Days of Wine and Roses” it’s not. Abstain.
“The Larry Sanders Show,” HBO at 10:30: In what may be the series “dirtiest” episode, Larry (Garry Shandling) has his feelings hurt by nasty remarks at a celebrity roast. Repeat.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Teri Hatcher, bug expert Linda Mason and singer Paula Cole.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”), actress Dana Delany and music group Spice Girls.