`You Take the Kids,” a CBS series premiering at 7 p.m. Saturday on WBBM- Ch. 2, might better be called, with apologies to Henny Youngman, ”You Take the Kids, Please.” The four youngsters who cavort oh-so-cutely through the Pittsburgh household of parents Nell and Michael Kirkland put a damper on otherwise charming performances by Nell Carter and Roger Mosley.
When they are alone, Carter and Mosley bring undeniable spunk to their parts as working-class parents.
Carter`s bulk puts her in the same TV sumo-wrestler class as Roseanne Barr, and this show has some similarities to Barr`s ABC hit. But she`s less abrasive than Barr. And Mosley, best known as the steadfast T.C. on ”Magnum P.I.,” shows a deft comedic touch. Given the best lines in the script, he makes the most of them.
Talking about an upcoming vacation he says, ”I want to see the romantic country roads with covered bridges, farms with rolling hills where cheerful white people do all the work.”
Arguing with his mother-in-law (Leila Danette), he says, ”And this
from a woman who thinks Idi Amin and Eydie Gorme are related.”
Don`t be misled by that cut-above-sitcom-norm wit. Most of the humor is of the traditional sniping sitcom stripe.
Even while the show tries to address such coming-of-age matters as sweater-stuffing and honesty, it can`t avoid vile lines such as this, from Carter to one of her sons: ”We`ll whip your butt until your sister grows breasts.
The children-Dante Beze,Caryn Ward, Trent Cameron and Marlon Taylor-do nothing more than distract from Carter and Mosley. And that cantankerous mother-in-law-take her, too, please.
`THE KID WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS`
7 p.m. Friday, WPWR-Ch. 50
Likely to be watched because it contains Sammy Davis Jr.`s last performance, this film will satisfy almost any viewer, filled as it is with terrific performances and a wonderful seasonal feel.
Davis, looking wan and his voice hoarse, has some dignified moments as a member of the jazz band led by Michael Warren.
Warren and his wife, played by Vanessa Williams, are about to adopt a son (Trent Cameron, much better than in ”You Take the Kids”).
When she is killed by a drunk driver in a car crash, Warren must fight Esther Rolle, who as a social worker doesn`t think that the traveling jazz man`s life would make a fit environment for a child. She removes the little boy to a foster home.
Although Warren and Cameron have a sympathetic social worker (Cicely Tyson) on their side, the struggle is one that seems to offer no easy solutions and keeps the viewer interested even though moving at a deliberate pace.
Executive-produced by Eddie Murphy and filmed entirely in Chicago, ”The Kid Who Loved Christmas” is filled with familiar seasonal sites (the decorations at Marshall Field`s on State Street) and any number of softly sentimental scenes, perhaps none as powerful as when Della Reese sings
”Amazing Grace” at the funeral of Williams` character.
This is the sort of film that captures some of the meaning and spirit of Christmas. It makes the viewer give up tears in a genuine fashion.
That spirit of giving is one of this holiday`s most special if often ignored qualities. You can indulge that desire by using the accompanying coupon. The cause is good and the feeling you`ll get from helping others is better still.
`YOU TAKE THE KIDS`
A new CBS series. A CBS Entertainment Production in association with Paul Haggis Productions and MTM Enterprises. Executive producer Paul Haggis;
produced by Stephen C. Grossman and Bill Levinson. With Nell Carter, Roger Mosley, Caryn Ward, Marlon Taylor, Dante Beze, Trent Cameron and Leila Danette. Airing at 7 p.m. Saturdays on WBBM-Ch. 2.
