Windowseat TV

I've written about Homicide: Life on the Street (Court TV, 8pm, 11pm, 2am) a lot lately, I know. I hope those who've already seen the episodes before or who don't get Court TV will understand.

The thing is, there isn't much that could air which could in any way compare with these early episodes of Homicide, in my humble opinion. Truly.

And surely not with tonight's episode: it's "Three Men and Adena," an episode which many critics have pointed to as one of the best dramatic hours of anything ever on TV. Which critic John Leonard has argued is better than some Don DeLillo novels, than the play Death and the Maiden and so many other things.

Tom Fontana won an Emmy award for writing this episode, Martin Campbell directed the episode. It originally aired in March of 1993. Moses Gunn guest stars as Risley Tucker.

This isn't an episode I've watched very often. Why? Because it's very intense. What's it all about? Detectives Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor) and Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher) finally have a suspect in the Adena Watson case: Risley Tucker. But they don't have enough to arrest Tucker, they can only question him in The Box. The three men spend almost the entire episode in that small room. Frank and Tim need a confession, they need something within twelve hours or they'll never be able to arrest Tucker or question him again.

Yeah, it's intense. Made all the more so when you consider this is based on a true story. That a real little girl--LaTonya Wallace-- was murdered under similar circumstances.

It's unlike any other episode of any show I can think of.

More picks:

It's Spock! With a goatee! Yeah, it's the "Mirror, Mirror" episode of Star Trek (Sci-Fi, 1pm). Who knew there'd be many more episodes and books set in that mirror universe?

How does one choose between Cary Grant and Robert Mitchum? Poor Deborah Kerr is torn between her husband (Grant) and a fascinating American (Mitchum) in Stanley Donen's The Grass is Greener (AMC, 5pm, letterboxed). A lush, lovely, witty film.

I didn't do picks last Tuesday and my one regret about that is that I wasn't here to trumpet the return of Dilbert (UPN, 7:30pm) to the airwaves. Yes, these are new episodes. No, the show hasn't been revived (alas), these are just episodes that hadn't aired yet. Tonight's episode is the first part of a two-parter, in which Dilbert is infected with some kindof space virus. It's well-worth watching. (Note to folks in the Minneapolis area: it's being preempted for a Twins game, but will air on Sunday afternoon).

I tend to prefer the funny episodes of Hercules so I'm pleased that "For Those of You Just Joining Us" (Sci-Fi, 7pm and 1am) airs tonight. It's the second of the two episodes set in modern day times, featuring the writers and producers of the series (well, not really). Along with Kevin Sorbo (who really is Hercules, but the folks who work on the show don't know that). You'll recognize lots of familiar faces from Xena and Hercules here. Directed by Bruce Campbell. Speaking of whom . . . Autolycus (Campbell) and Salmoneus get in big trouble when they steal a magic lamp in " Genies and Grecians and Geeks, Oh My" (Sci-Fi, 9pm). And there are two episodes of Xena (Sci-Fi, 6pm, 8pm, midnight), too.

Reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB, 7pm) and Angel (WB, 8pm). Buffy is the one where Adam escapes from the Initiative. Angel is the one where Angel helps a woman who's being stalked by her doctor. They're worth catching, of course, if you missed them the first time around.

Nick at Night's "Survivor's Guide" marathon of Gilligan's Island (Nick, 8pm-11pm and 11pm-2am) continues. Tonight's episodes focus on the Howells and include the one where Gilligan finds a lottery ticket and is allowed into the Howell's country club, the one where they learn the Howell empire has collapsed, the one where Mr. Howell revises his will, the one where Mrs. Howell has a secret admirer, and the one where the castaways put together a silent movie.

Suzanne Pleshette is among the American tourists "wreaking havoc while traveling through Europe" in If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (TCM, 9pm).

Michael Moore on a new Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm).

Lisa Kudrow, Tom Dreesen, Steve Earles on a new Late Show w/ David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Angelina Jolie, Seann W. Scott, Lee Ann Womack on a new Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).

Nathan Lane, Rachel Dratch, Loudon Wainwright III on a new Andy-less Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien (NBC, check local listings).

Other possibilities:

As of yesterday, episodes of Johnny Bravo (Cartoon Network, 6:30pm), Ed, Edd n Eddy (Cartoon Network, 7pm), Powerpuff Girls (Cartoon Network, 7:30pm), and Dexter's Laboratory (Cartoon Network, 8pm) will air daily.

This week Early Edition (Fox Family Channel, 6pm and 9pm) begins airing each weekday at 6pm and 9pm on Fox Family Channel.

There's a toad-licking craze at the school on Family Guy (FOX, 7pm). Thurgood thinks he sees a black Jesus on a new episode of The PJs (FOX, 7:30pm).

And here I thought our long national nightmare was finally over, but nooooooo, NBC is gonna air some of the remaining never-before-aired episodes of Suddenly Susan (NBC, 7pm) and Veronica's Closet (NBC, 7:30pm).

M.Y.O.B. (NBC, 8:30pm) is a new sitcom-- one that didn't make the schedule so they're gonna try airing it in the summertime. It's probably most notable for being executive produced by Don Roose (of The Opposite of Sex fame). Katherine Towne and Lauren Graham star. It's about a teen who runs away from home and ends up living with her aunt (who might also be her birthmom).

Reruns of Judging Amy (CBS, 9pm) and NYPD Blue (ABC, 9pm).

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This page was updated on June 6, 2000 by Laurel Krahn who can be reached via email to laurel@windowseat.org. TV Picks graphic by Jeremy Wilker.