Old TV characters never die, they just fade away for a few years. Ken Wahl's "Wiseguy" is tonight's example.
"Friends" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Marlo Thomas is back as Rachel's mom, while Ron Liebman shows up as her dad. Problem is, the parents can't stand each other, and when they both show up for Rachel's birthday party, the fur flies. NBC.
"Smithsonian Fantastic Journey 2" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Segments on this latest collaboration between CBS News and the National Geographic Society include a pretty perfunctory visit to St. Mary's City by Morley Safer for a look at archaeological digs there that have unearthed the 17th-century graves of some of Maryland's first Colonial settlers. CBS.
"Martin" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shows up for this season-ending episode, as Martin tries to make peace with his hospitalized friend, Tommy. Fox.
"Wiseguy" (9 p.m.-11 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Ken Wahl reprises the role as undercover agent Vinnie Terranova, that he played on ABC from 1987-1990. Tonight, he infiltrates a firm dealing in insider information and falls for the wife of a bad guy. ABC.
"Seinfeld" (9 p.m.-10 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Think Jerry & Co. can sustain the yucks for a whole hour? Find out tonight, as George gets a new assignment from Yankees boss George Steinbrenner, Elaine goes to an auction, Jerry argues with his mechanic and Newman . . . well, Newman continues being Newman. NBC.
"ER" (10 p.m.-11 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Dr. Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) is forced to contend with life after Suzy, while Dr. Ross (George Clooney) starts falling for (Marg Helgenberger), whom you may remember from "China Beach." NBC.
Cable
"Ironside" (Noon-1 p.m., repeats 10 p.m.-11 p.m., Nostalgia) -- Anne Archer, years before she was cast as the loving wife in "Fatal Attraction," is among the guest stars as Ironside is witness to an on-stage murder.
"The Munsters" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., repeats 1 a.m.-1: 30 a.m., Nickelodeon) -- Herman tries out for the L.A. Dodgers. Heck, if he can pitch, the Orioles should sign him up.
"Rocky II" (10 p.m.-12: 30 a.m.), "Rocky IV" (12: 30 a.m.-2: 30 a.m.) and "Rocky V" (2: 30 a.m.-4: 30 a.m., TBS) -- Things could be worse. They could be showing "Rocky" and "Rocky III."
"It's Pat" (10: 45 p.m.-12: 05 a.m., The Movie Channel) -- Five minutes of Julia Sweeney's Pat character -- is she he or is he she? -- should be enough for any sane person; 80 minutes should be nothing short of torture. The movie was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award as the worst movie of 1995, although it was beaten out by "Showgirls." Must have been a tough competition.
Pub Date: 5/02/96
