Viewers who aren't into
the Winter Games have other options
On a Television Near You …
Jason C. Consolacion
Obviously, one of the major television
events occurring this week is the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic
Games.
To be held in Salt Lake City, the opening
ceremonies feature most of the athletes participating in the Games, a few
celebrities
and performances by Sting, Dave Matthews
Band and Harry Connick Jr., among
Photo courtesy of Warner
Brothers
From left, Kristin Kreuk
(Lana), Tom Welling (Clark) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex) star in the WB's
Smallville, a series based on
the teenage years of Superman's alter
ego, Clark Kent.
others.
However, after the pomp and circumstance
that is the Olympics' opening ceremony, television viewership usually suffers
— as
was the case with the 2000 Summer Games
in Sydney, Australia. NBC is hoping that because the Games are being held
in the
States this time around, television ratings
will be considerably higher.
So if you're not into sports or you know
that you're probably going to be bored to death with the Winter Games,
here are some
alternative options for your viewing pleasure:
Today
Boston Public — In the episode titled "Chapter
Thirty-Five," a bomb threat rattles Winslow. Also, student bullying outrages
Marla, while a talent show pairs Lipschultz
in a duet with Marylin and casts Harper as Ralph Kramden in a Honeymooners
sketch.
The critically acclaimed drama series stars
Anthony Heald, Jessalyn Gilsig, Fyvush Finkel and Chi McBride. The show
airs at 7
p.m. tonight on NBC.
Tuesday
Smallville — On Tuesday's episode, a crooked
businessman who can get people to do whatever he wants by touching their
hands sets out to buy the Kent farm. The
man's intentions are to build an industrial plant in Smallville, perhaps
to rival Lex
Luthor's.
Smallville stars Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum,
Kristin Kreuk, John Schneider and Annette O'Toole. The show airs at 8
p.m. Tuesday on the WB.
Wednesday
That '80s Show — On Wednesday, Corey learns
Tuesday lives alone, and Katie finds out where. Meanwhile, Sophia easily
puts RT in a hot tub as Roger struggles
to sell a car to a couple (played by Rance Howard and Marjorie Lovett).
That '80s Show stars Glenn Howerton, Tinsley
Grimes, Eddie Chin and Geoff Pierson. It airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays on NBC.
Thursday
Friends — This week, Joey comes clean about
his feelings for Rachel. Chandler, Monica and Phoebe already know, but
it is
finally revealed to Ross and Rachel on
Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ross finds himself in Valentine's
Day dire straits as he's forced to lie about his new roommate to his girlfriend
Mona
(played by the sexy Bonnie Somerville).
Also, Monica and Chandler's first Valentine's
Day as a married couple loses its romantic luster because of a childbirth
video.
America's favorite sextet is made up of
Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox-Arquette, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew
Perry and
David Schwimmer. Friends airs at 7 p.m.
on NBC.
Friday
Green Day: Behind the Music — While playing
sweaty Berkeley clubs that were also known as the birthplace of the best
punk
bands in America, the trio known as Green
Day drew the attention of record labels with its hook-laden songs. But
when Green
Day started receiving contract offers,
the members felt conflicted: Would signing with a major label alienate
them from the punk
community?
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong admits
on the show, "I still don't know if it was the right thing to do."
Behind the Music airs every night at 8
p.m. on VH1 (cable).
Saturday
Saturday Night — Since there is no Saturday
Night Live because of the Winter Games, Comedy Central airs reruns
appropriately titled Saturday Night, dropping
the Live for the anal-retentive.
There are two worthy reruns on Saturday:
at 7 p.m., the classic Britney Spears episode re-airs as the pop princess
serves as
both host and musical guest. At 8 p.m.,
Comedy Central will air the show that featured the lovely Charlize Theron
as host and
the legendary Paul Simon as musical guest.
Sunday
The Sopranos — In the episode titled "The
Knight in White Satin," Richie and Janice show the fire hasn't gone out
of their
relationship. Elsewhere, love suffers
as Irina tries to persuade Tony to take her back.
This popular mobster series airs at 7 p.m.
on HBO.
