‘Mad About You’ Gives Birth To Laughs
The big night has arrived for NBC’s “Mad About You.” It’s the birth of Paul and Jamie’s baby.
For everyone who has been in the delivery room, this hourlong season finale at 8 is long on laughs and quite touching as well.
As you might guess, things do not go altogether smoothly. And, to some extent, the episode lacks originality.
But the expected false starts, traffic delays and jokes about painkillers are delivered in ways that are typical of Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt.
Bruce Willis makes a guest appearance, playing himself. The movie star is injured in an accident on the set of his latest film and rushed to the same hospital where Jamie and Paul have checked in.
Willis’ arrival turns the facility into a media madhouse.
Reiser and Willis hook up in some nutty slapstick when Paul has trouble getting past police and security guards in order to make it to Jamie’s side. (This makes no sense at all, because so many other Buckman family and friends get to Jamie’s room in plenty of time.)
Filmmaker Michael Moore makes an appearance, as well as Carroll O’Connor and Carol Burnett as Jamie’s parents. Burnett has a spectacularly funny scene.
Paul and Jamie are the “Honeymooners” of the ‘90s, and it’s a pleasure to join in the joy of their child’s birth.
Highlights
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: The once-brilliant series fades the scene with an uninspired hourlong season finale. The occasion is the welcome home of Darlene’s (Sara Gilbert) miracle baby. It’s a lifeless, unfunny episode, the final insult to fans who have seen the series fall from one of television’s best shows to one of its worst.
The final 15 minutes were not available for review. But if they are anything like the first 45, it’s a sad way so see these characters pass into the night.
“True Women” (1997), CBS at 9: The two-part movie concludes with Euphemia (Annabeth Gish) and Georgia (Angelina Jolie) reunited in Texas, where they fight over slavery, endure the Civil War and suffer together under Reconstruction. An uneven script turns what might have been an intimate epic into an episodic melodrama.
“Frontline,” KSPS at 9: “The Opium Kings” is an intriguing British expose linking revolutionaries in Myanmar (previously known as Burma) and opium trafficking. The region is the source of 60 percent of the world’s heroin supply.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Guest star Pamela Lee (“Baywatch”) revisits the series as Lisa, the former “Tool Time” girl. Her replacement, Heidi (Debbe Dunning), feels slighted when Tim gives Lisa a royal welcome.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: The season ends with back-to-back episodes, the second of which includes guest-star Linda Hamilton as a mysterious woman who leaves a message on Frasier’s (Kelsey Grammer) answering machine.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: In another season finale, Simone (Jimmy Smits) steps in harm’s way when the Joey Salvo sting misfires. Also, a psychiatrist points to the victim’s father when a young patient is murdered.
Cable Calls
“Ralph Emery: On the Record,” TNN at 7 and 11: Emery sits down with Travis Tritt, youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter and budding actor.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Comedian Don Rickles and actress Julianne Moore.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Barbara Walters (“20/20”) and music group God’s Property, featuring Kirk Franklin.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Harvey Fierstein and musician Johnny Lydon.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Christa Miller and musical guests Mark Eitzel and Peter Buck.