Critic's Corner: Tuesday

USA TODAY - May 9, 2000
By Robert Bianco

Whether Sports Night (ABC, tonight, 9:30 ET/PT) returns next season may depend on how well it does in this two-week, return-to-the- schedule run. How's that for pressure? What a shame if this often marvelous series disappears for good after these two season-ending episodes. Sports Night probably will never be a big hit comparable to, or compatible with, Dharma & Greg or NYPD Blue (which is why its placement in ABC's powerhouse Tuesday lineup has been more of a hindrance to the show than a help). But surely TV's powers-that-be can find a place for a show this well written and cast - even if that place is on another network.

Tyne Daly is the best reason to watch an otherwise overheated Judging Amy (CBS, 10 p.m. ET/PT) that finds Maxine and Amy on opposite sides of a case involving a dying witness. In typical Amy fashion, the show sets up an intriguing central problem, then obscures it with an absurd subplot and solves it with a simplistic twist. Still, the show has one great actress in Daly and a strong lead in Amy Brenneman. By themselves, they make Amy one of CBS' best dramas - which shows you how far CBS has to go to catch up.


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