Take A Lesson From ‘Class Of 2000’
Teens and parents with teens, take notice. CBS offers a survival guide for high school sophomores.
“True or False: Teen-agers Mean Trouble” at 10 is the fifth installment in CBS’ “Class of 2000” reports.
According to series producers, this is “a period of great experimentation - with everything from haircuts to having sex.” It’s a tumultuous time, and their parents don’t have it so easy either.
Russ Mitchell anchors this hour (unavailable for review), which follows the lives of four sophomores at Franklin High School, just outside Nashville, Tenn.
One of them has a cocaine problem. Another is Jenny Gill, daughter of country music superstar Vince Gill.
The hour follows their ups and downs and how their parents provide both comfort and confrontation.
Fran Drescher of CBS’ “The Nanny” (a show I’d have to say must have little relevance to teenagers) hosts a segment based on a poll of students and parents. Among the provocative results: 75 percent of parents believe their kids would turn to them in a crisis, but 55 percent of high school sophomores say they’d turn to their friends instead. And, while 68 percent of parents think most high school sophomores have had sex, only 22 percent say they have.
The “Class of 2000” reports shed light on issues affecting teens and families. CBS deserves credit for embarking on this four-year project.
It’s too bad getting through high school isn’t as easy as watching a few television specials.
Highlights
“Prey,” ABC at 8: Lynch (Roger Howarth) escapes from jail and goes on a killing spree. Sloan (Debra Messing) discovers that Tom Daniels (Adam Storke) knows more about the mutant species than she imagined.
Despite these revelations, the series’ second episode still leaves you looking for answers to too many questions.
“Between Brothers,” FOX at 8: The comedy moves to a new time slot with a guest appearance by NFL great Jim Brown. But the main story is as old as TV comedy: When Mitchell and Dusty (Tommy Davidson, Kelly Perine) get roughed up in a bar, it’s May (Sandy Brown) who outmuscles the troublemakers.
“Mystery!” KSPS at 8: Derek Jacobi returns as Brother Cadfael in “The Raven in the Foregate.” When a parishioner and a new priest are murdered, the monk-detective goes looking for the killer.
“Billy Madison” (1995), ABC at 9: Adam Sandler is smartly cast as a snide, lazy wiseguy who tries to salvage his inheritance by repeating 12 years of school in six months. At times it’s about as funny as a bad “Saturday Night Live” skit.
“Veronica’s Closet,” NBC at 9:30: There’s more nonsense between Ronnie (Kirstie Alley) and her estranged husband Bryce (Christopher McDonald) in this repeat from October. Bob Goen, Lisa Canning (“Entertainment Tonight”) and Leeza Gibbons (“Leeza”) guest-star.
Cable Calls
“Skating Kicks Back: Country Music and More,” USA at 9: A strong lineup of athletes takes part in this two-hour-long special, skating to both country and rock hits. Brian Boitano, Elvis Stojko, Brian Orser, Nicole Bobek and Rosalynn Sumners top the bill.
“If These Walls Could Talk,” LIFE at 9: Demi Moore, Sissy Spacek and Cher star in this powerful cable movie that portrays three women living in three different decades. Each copes with unplanned pregnancies.
It’s tenderly acted but not likely to endear itself with folks who have no tolerance for abortion. Linda Ellerbee introduces the film.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Bob Newhart (“George & Leo”), actor Howie Long and musical group Chumbawamba.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Sylvester Stallone and former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda. Repeat.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Harry Shearer, Deborah Norville, columnist Cindy Adams and author Bart Kosko.