Two highly anticipated television series airing this week solidify the axiom that perceptions can be skin deep.
To some, HBO’s edgy mobster drama “The Sopranos” is seen as one huge ethnic slur because its stereotypes Italian-Americans as criminals. To others, CBS’ promising new hospital series “City of Angels” may be dismissed by mainstream audiences because most of its characters are African-American.
Both series, however, need to be viewed from different perspectives because each is an appealing show about people, rather than a collection of stereotypes and caricatures.
Calling “The Sopranos” “appealing” hardly does it justice: It was the best series of 1999, and judging by this season’s first few episodes, it is making a strong case for a repeat win in 2000.
Some Italian-Americans decry the series about conflicted New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) because of its stereotypes, and they know better than anyone whether the claims are justified.
But the series’ Mafia element is simply a spine on which to hang the nuances of such issues as handling family discord, coming to terms with one’s place in a violent world, and dealing with the consequences of one’s actions.
“City of Angels” is up against a different kind of perception: the notion that dramas starring blacks are never embraced as readily as comedies featuring people of color.
The “City of Angels” premiere isn’t free of stereotypes. It shows a jive-talking doctor (Garrett Morris, whose character is promptly dismissed for an unprofessional act) and a shallow administrative clerk (who is severely reprimanded for her treatment of patients). And the show is true to the idiosyncrasies that are unique to African-Americans.
But viewer perceptions need to be adjusted for “City of Angels” to find success. And the show, which needs to refine its voice in light of the first two episodes, nonetheless has some strong vital signs.
Aside from expert execution from co-creators Steven Bochco and Paris Barclay, who is an Emmy-winning director for “NYPD Blue,” and a cast headed by Blair Underwood and Vivica A. Fox, the show’s strongest suit is the presentation of situations that anyone who has ever been sick enough to require a hospital visit can identify with.
“City of Angels” makes its series debut Sunday at 7 p.m. on WBBM-Ch. 2 before settling into its regular time — 7 p.m. Wednesday. The second season premiere of “The Sopranos” airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
Sunday
– ABC’s “The Loretta Claiborne Story” is the true account of a young African-American woman (played by Kimberly Elise of “Beloved”) who overcame mental and physical adversity to become a champion athlete. “The Practice’s” Camryn Manheim co-stars at 6 p.m.on WLS-Ch. 7.
– A&E’s “Biography” is fair and comprehensive in telling the story of Oprah Winfrey in a new two-hour special at 7 p.m. Interviews include Winfrey herself (who talks to show host Harry Smith), boyfriend Stedman Graham, her parents, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones and others.
– Even though “On the Inside: The CIA” is a full-bodied piece that works mainly because the Central Intelligence Agency granted the Discovery Channel amazing access to its facilities and files you just know the spy outfit isn’t revealing everything. (7 p.m.)
– With Sunday marking the 9th anniversary of the start of Persian Gulf War, at 8 p.m. the History Channel airs three hours on the Operation Desert Storm assault.
– The tragic life of former Playmate centerfold/actress Dorothy Stratten, who was killed by her husband Paul Snider in 1980, is detailed in “The E! True Hollywood Story” at 8 p.m.
– A new PBS series on arts and culture across the nation premieres on WTTW-Ch. 11 — “EGG: The Arts Show,” a 12-part series airing Sundays at 11:30 p.m.
Monday
– “Mugshots” is a new Court TV Monday-through-Thursday series at 6 p.m. on some of the country’s most notorious criminals.
– ABC’s 27th annual American Music Awards is at 7 p.m. on WLS-Ch. 7, with noted music lover Norm Macdonald as host. Whitney Houston, Britney Spears and Shania Twain all leading the pack with three nominations each.
– New season premieres of the warped “afterschool special” sitcom “Strangers With Candy” and the sketch comedy series “Upright Citizens Brigade” are at 9 and 9:30 p.m., respectively, on Comedy Central.
– In the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995, 7,000 Muslim men were massacred — the worst slaughter since World War II. “Srebrenica: A Cry from the Grave” is a new PBS documentary at 10 p.m. on WTTW-Ch. 11 that recounts this tragedy.
Tuesday
– Penelope Ann Miller is appropriately pathetic, and Omar Anguiano alternates between naive and mack-daddy smooth, in USA Network’s slick-looking “The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl” at 7 p.m. It’s the true story of a 35-year-old Seattle school teacher who had an affair — and bore two children — with her 13-year-old student. Immediately following at 9 p.m. is a live, hour-long special updating the lives of most of the principals, including Letourneau.
– UPN debuts its new reality series “I Dare You! The Ultimate Challenge” at 7 p.m. on WPWR-Ch. 50. Co-hosted by a man who never met a dare he didn’t like — Evel Knievel — the series features stunt performers doing some of the most dangerous feats.
– And if you missed it, UPN reairs Tuesday’s edition, along with “Shasta” (“McNasty” has been deleted — as if it matters) and “Dilbert,” at 8 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, to see how regular series will fly on the network’s usual sci-fi/action/adventure movie night.
– Fox repeats an episode of its funny new series “Malcolm in the Middle” at 7:30 p.m. on WFLD-Ch. 32.
Wednesday
– Jane Seymour is the prime suspect in the death of her husband — who has been leading a secret life — in the suspenseful “Murder in the Mirror” at 8 p.m.
– WTTW-Ch. 11 presents the 16th annual Festival of Latin Music, which was held at the Old Town School of Folk Music last October, at 8 p.m.
Friday
– “Faeries” is a Starz! original movie about hobgoblins, shape-shifters, and a magical farm at 5:05 p.m.
– “Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander narrates a special on some of the world’s most dangerous tricks at 7 p.m. on the Learning Channel.
Saturday
– The identity of the father of Xena’s (Lucy Lawless) baby is finally revealed on the 100th episode of “Xena: Warrior Princess” at a special time — 11:30 a.m. — on WGN-Ch. 9.
– Lifetime and NFL Films team up at 6 p.m. for “A Woman’s Touch in the NFL: Tackling Pro Football,” a special on some ladies who have had their own impact on the sport. They include Sally Gardocki, wife of Indianapolis Colts punter Chris Gardocki, who wrote “The Wives’ Room: A Look Behind the NFL Curtain.”
– The Marshalls are a family of superheroes — except for 13-year-old Scott (Michael J. Pagan), who has yet to show any extraordinary abilities. “Up, Up and Away” is a new Disney Channel movie airing at 6:30 p.m.
– Old Nickelodeon fave “Double Dare” makes a comeback on the all-kids network. “Double Dare 2000” has a special preview at 8:30 p.m. before settling into its regular weekday 4 p.m. slot starting Jan. 24.
