monday
Sorry these picks are late today, I was sick yesterday and am still a bit under the weather today.
Featured Pick:
Many people had high expectations for the “special episode” of The West Wing that was made in light of the events of September 11th. Most people were disappointed in the result . . . I thought it was okay, but too preachy (about things most of us had already heard before) and some of the characters seemed a little out of character.
I suspect that the real and truly “special episode” of dramatic TV filmed in light of the tragedy will be tonight’s two-hour episode of Third Watch (NBC, 7pm-9pm). It’s not so much a regular episode, as a documentary.
Those of you who watched China Beach may recall that John Wells was also one of the producers and writers behind that series (he’s since gone on to larger fame with ER and The West Wing). Wells was credited as a co-writer (with John Sacret Young) of an episode of China Beach called “Vets,” which featured interviews with actual Vietnam veterans, interspersed with clips from the series. It was a wonderful, moving, and fascinating hour of television.
In case you, like most people, haven’t watched Third Watch before, it’s a drama whose main characters are firemen, police officers, and paramedics and it’s set in New York City. Many real life firemen, police, and EMTs work on the show– acting in scenes with the principals or serving as consultants. There’s no way the show could really go on after September 11th without addressing recent events. No way.
So what has Wells planned? For tonight’s special, 62 hours of footage were shot of interviews with real NYC police, firefighters, and paramedics. Somehow, they’ve distilled the footage down to two-hours of what is mostly a documentary, mostly interviews.
I don’t think it will be easy to watch, but I think it will be great and that people will talk about it for a long time. (Note: I haven’t seen it, so I could be wrong).
As for when the regular episodes start up again? They’ve made a wise decision. The first “regular” hour of programming will feature the characters lives on September 10th. The following episode will pick up 10 days after September 11th and another 10 days after that (and is titled “New Beginnings”). Because of course it would be disrespectful to try and portray those events or to place fictional characters there. It’s a smart move by Wells and company, one I respect.
More picks and possibilities:
Game 5: Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners (Fox Family, 3pm).
The “Smoking” episode of NewsRadio (A&E, 5:30pm) is one of my favorite half-hours of comedy, ever. Phil Hartman and Dave Foley are so very good in it.
Will Xander ever learn? This time he falls for a mummy girl on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (FX, 6pm).
Tom Sizemore and Ricki Lake are in the “Independence Day” episode of China Beach (History Channel, 6pm). (Yeah, the show is back this week at Noon and 6pm weekdays, 10am on Saturdays).
Bester visits Babylon 5 (Sci-Fi, 6pm, letterboxed) again in “A Race Through Dark Places.”
If you missed last Thursday’s episode of The Daily Show (Comedy Central, 6pm), it’s worth seeing the reality show “Pitch” segment. Too, too funny.
Third Watch: In Their Own Words (NBC, 7pm-9pm). Today’s “featured pick.”
You knew they’d do this story eventually, didn’t you? Ray loses his wedding ring on Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS, 8pm).
Somebody switches bodies with Angel (WB, 8pm) and presumably wackiness ensues. Or something.
New episode of 100 Centre Street (A&E, 8pm). It’s another legal drama, in case you haven’t seen the show before.
“Frozen novelties” are the topic du jour on Unwrapped (Food Network, 8pm and 11pm). Ice cream bars, popsicles, etc.
Nick begins airing a weeklong marathon in celebration of the 50th anniversary of I Love Lucy (Nick, 8pm-midnight).
Jordan and her father do that “who do you want to be? Killer or victim?” thing again. Fortunately for everyone who thinks Jill Hennessy is a hottie, Jordan opts to play the role of the victim . . . who happened to be a stripper. (You didn’t want to see Ken Howard in that role, did you?) On Crossing Jordan (NBC, 9pm).
Or you could watch something great like the “Chokin’ and Tokin’” episode of Freaks and Geeks (Fox Family, 9pm).
Emeril is on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).
Bruce McCall, John Mellencamp with India Arie on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).
Thomas Gibson, Soleil Moon Frye on The Late Late Show (CBS, check your local listings).
James Marsters (Spike his own bad self), Tavis Smiley on Politically Incorrect (ABC, check your local listings).
Remember when Nirvana was on Unplugged (MTV, midnight)? If not, you can see it now. It’s a good hour of music.
The “Partners and Other Strangers” episode of Homicide: Life on the Street (Court TV, midnight) is incredibly sad. First part of the fifth season finale, first part of Melissa Leo’s final episode as Detective Kay Howard. Plus it introduces Jon Seda as Paul Falsone (ugh!).
