Thursday, October 21, 2004
TV Best Bets
Gannett News Service
Must-see
Broadway: The American Musical conclusion, 9-11 p.m., Channels 48, 16.
When West Side Story opened in 1957, it made fresh demands. The duties of director and choreographer were combined in one man, Jerome Robbins; actors had to be great dancers and vice versa.
Robbins continued to triumph - especially with 1972's Fiddler on the Roof. Others followed his visual approach, peaking when Julie Taymor directed and designed The Lion King.
There have been other twists and turns, many of them contradictory.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim created virtual operas with music flowing throughout the story. Still, Jerry Herman (La Cage Aux Folles) and Mel Brooks (The Producers) proved there's still a place for comedy and for simple, enjoyable tunes.
Big shows, with $10-million price tags and corporate producers, ruled. Still, the late Jonathan Larson's Rent showed that Broadway could still be a personal experience.
This terrific documentary closes with Wicked, a mega-budget hit.
Worth watching
Extreme Makeover, 8 p.m., Channels 9, 22. This revisits three people - a librarian, a teacher and a guy with a younger wife - and sees how their lives have changed.
Joey, 8 p.m., Channels 5, 2. So far, we haven't heard much about Gina's job. That changes when her boss' untalented daughter gets many of her customers. Joey plans a drastic solution. Meanwhile, he's upset when the attractive neighbor's husband (Matt Letscher) returns.
The Apprentice, 9 p.m., Channels 5, 2. The teams have a dog-related project and someone else will get the boot.
Life as We Know It, 9 p.m., Channels 9, 22. Romance goes badly for Jonathan and Deborah (Chris Lowell and Kelly Osbourne) and Dino and Jackie (Sean Faris and Missy Peregrym). However, Ben (Jon Foster) may be making progress with his beautiful teacher (Marguerite Moreau).
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 9 p.m., Channels 12, 7. A woman who recently had plastic surgery is found dead.
Without a Trace, 10 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Shortly after a nanny is fired, she disappears with the baby.
ER, 10 p.m., Channels 5, 2. When two small children fall from a third-story window, no one is sure if abuse was involved. Meanwhile, Corday faces punishment and Neela realizes she really doesn't like to work in a mini-mart.
TEMPO HEADLINES
Tweed steps out
Angry Girl bags carry an attitude
Shots aren't your only flu virus defense
Elizabeth at top of to-go list
Clinton designers cited
Getty museum director quits
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Guided by Voices will fall silent
LuPone sings her 'Heart' out
Top 10s
PEOPLE
Japan gives Cruise a hand
A monstrous star on Walk of Fame
Alicia Keys headlines Jazz Fest
Birthdays
PLANNING AHEAD
The early word
Get to it
TV Best Bets
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