Join Classic Pursuit In ‘Moby Dick’
Don’t overlook USA’s 1998 adaptation of Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” which concludes tonight at 8 and 10.
If you missed last night’s Part 1, you’ll have no problem joining in tonight. As the action ended, Ahab (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the Pequod got their first look at the “accursed white whale.”
Now the harrowing chase is under way as Ahab risks all to have his revenge on the beast that took his leg.
This is an awesome version of the timeless tale, featuring a sizzling performance by Stewart as the obsessed whaling captain. The TV movie also stars Ted Levine (“The Silence of the Lambs”) as Starbuck and Henry Thomas (“E.T.”) as Ishmael.
Computer-generated special effects give Moby Dick an imposing and sometimes strikingly realistic look. But despite the high-tech magic, this production never sacrifices the essence of Melville’s book.
Faithful to the dialogue as well as the complex psychological themes of the 1851 novel, this “Moby” is first class.
What Stewart does best is temper Ahab’s insanity with his humanity and vulnerability, thus portraying Ahab as someone cognizant of his self-destruction but unable to save himself.
USA has done “Moby Dick” justice. This is a classic in its own right.
Highlights
“Cosby,” CBS at 8: In a pointed repeat, Hilton (Bill Cosby) joins the Older and Out softball team, not realizing it’s a gay squad. Ruth (Phylicia Rashad) worries that he has something going with another man.
As unlikely as it is, Cosby mugs his way through it with lovable charm, and there’s a message in there somewhere.
“House Rules,” NBC at 8:30: McCusky and Riley (David Newsom, Bradley White) feel inadequate when they’re no help to Casey (Maria Pitillo) when she’s hit on by a stud in a bar and, later, when their house is burglarized. None of that’s too funny, but there are some laughs from guest-star Patrick Warburton (“Seinfeld”), who deadpans as a weird, overprotective police officer.
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9: When Caroline’s (Lea Thompson) mother (Edie McClurg, “The Hogan Family”) pays a visit for a mother-daughter People magazine shoot, Caroline tries a new approach to addressing their conflicts - the truth.
“Ally McBeal,” FOX at 9: Ally (Calista Flockhart) meets her match in a 9-year-old genius; Tracey Ullman is back for a second episode as Ally’s “smile therapist.”
“The Naked Truth,” NBC at 9:30: Pool-shark Nora (Tea Leoni) goes undercover to prove that a pool tournament is fixed. She faces off against Gary Coleman (“Diff’rent Strokes”), guest-starring as himself.
“Brooklyn South,” CBS at 10: Carrie Hamilton guest-stars as an abused wife implicated in her husband’s murder. Also, Lowery (Titus Welliver) learns that his former fiancee, a Russian immigrant, has been murdered.
Andrew Sikking, the son of “Brooklyn” star James B. Sikking, appears as Lowery’s partner.
Cable Calls
“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: A portrait of actor Cary Grant tracks his career from its beginnings as a 13-year-old song-and-dance man and addresses the irony that one of Hollywood’s great romantic leads never found lasting romance off the screen.
“Solid Gold,” VH-1 at 6: The ‘80s music-dance show returns, premiering with six consecutive episodes. As VH-1 puts it, it’s a return to a time when Madonna wasn’t a mom and Prince was still known as Prince.
Isn’t it depressing to think about the ‘80s as nostalgic?
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Lauren Holly and the 7-year-old Furtick quadruplets.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Emma Thompson, race-car driver Alex Zanardi and singer Willie Nelson.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Judd Nelson, Carrot Top, Rip Torn and talk-show host Holly McClure.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Singer Natalie Cole and author Ruth Reichl.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Minnie Driver, Richard Belzer (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) and musical guest B.B. King. Repeat.