Sunday, November 7, 1999

Sweeps: Orphans, leprechauns, Regis and rock ‘n’ roll

Do we really need another "Annie"? After watching ABC's impressive new version of the Broadway musical, airing at 6 tonight on "The Wonderful World of Disney," I am surprised to say yes, indeedy do.%%This "Annie" is fresh, fun and full of amazingly talented performers. Oscar winner Kathy Bates (as villainous Miss Hannigan) heads the cast, which includes Victor Garber (as Daddy Warbucks), Audra McDonald (Grace), Alan Cumming (Rooster), Kristin Chenoweth (Lily St. Regis) and adorable (but thankfully not cloying) Alicia Morton in the title role.
   Broadway's first "Annie," Andrea McArdle, pops up in a cameo, singing and dancing in the "NYC" sequence.
   "Annie," based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip, tells the story of a Depression Era orphan picked to spend the Christmas holidays at the mansion of Oliver Warbucks, America's richest industrialist. But the holiday festivities are put in jeopardy when greedy Miss Hannigan, who runs the dismal orphanage, and her Fagin-esque brother Rooster, concoct a scheme to kidnap the little moppet.
   Songs from the 20-year-old Broadway hit are annoyingly familiar by now: "Tomorrow," "Little Girls" and "It's a Hard Knock Life." But here they're revived with fresh arrangements and are sung by the best voices ever cast in this lovable show.
   Who knew Kathy Bates could belt out a tune? Much less hoof her way through some strenuous dance numbers? She, Cumming and Chenoweth blow enough electricity into the bluesy "Easy Street" to light up the Chrysler Building.
   On what is arguably the best night of primetime TV this season, "Annie" stands out as high quality family fare that will leave viewers smiling and confidently optimistic that the sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar on it.
   Also tonight
   When there's this much good stuff on, it's sweeps. All the networks are vying for high ratings with new specials, movies and miniseries, unfortunately airing all at the same time. Sweeps continue through Dec. 1 as the Nielsen ratings folks do their seasonal headcount of who's watching what. Local stations use those numbers to set ad rates.
   So what's good tonight?
   "X-Files" fans finally get their reward for waiting six months for new episodes. The series starts its seventh and probably final season at 8 tonight on Fox.
   CBS had a major hit with "The Temptations" last November, so they're taking the musical route again with a two-nighter (8 tonight and Wednesday) called "Shake, Rattle & Roll," a miniseries about a fictional '50s singing group. The soundtrack is jammed with hummable golden oldies.
   NBC has "The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns" (8 tonight and Monday), a four-hour mini-series starring Randy Quaid as an American businessman who trips over little green men on the Emerald Isle. This is one of those special-effects-driven things from Robert Halmi Sr., and the Hallmark Entertainment company. That's the same outfit that gave us the drecky "Noah's Ark" last year. You've been warned.
   And Regis Philbin returns with 15 more episodes of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" starting tonight on ABC. If you missed this high-pressure game show in August, get hooked on it now. Play along with the contestants as they decide which of their three "lifelines" to use in answering the increasingly difficult multiple choice questions. Reeg is a hoot as he cranks up the emotional intensity in each level of quizzing. He's the best game show host since Allen Ludden. And that is my final answer.
  
  

 
Index of Elaine's columns | Arts & Entertainment | Restaurant Reviews | Best Bets: Today - The Week | Columns | Home Page

---

  © 1999 Corpus Christi Caller Times, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.