Snuggle in for date night with your TV
Special to the Star-Telegram
Friday's not exactly an oasis for high-voltage network programming, so we're dancing as fast as we can here to put together a respectable list of highlights. Hmm, there is a nice selection of popcorn movies available if you'd just like to veg out. So let's crank this thing up.
Ghost: This semi-classic, 1990 hanky-soaker cemented the big-screen careers of both Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Also, Whoopi Goldberg made her first major score -- and won an Oscar -- for her supporting role as kindly spiritualist Oda Mae Brown. 5:45 p.m., HBO
Jurassic Park: Director Steven Spielberg's 1993 creature feature still gets the blood flowing with its scare tactics and special effects that remain impressive. Those were the days when Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum were big-screen leading men while Samuel L. Jackson was just getting it going in a supporting role. Also look for Wayne Knight (of "Newman" fame on Seinfeld) as an eventual dino snack. 7 p.m., AMC
The 40 Year Old Virgin: This signature 2005 release propelled Steve Carell's feature-film career into Adam Sandler/Jim Carrey orbit. He's made a few clinkers since, but remains a bankable box-office draw who can always fall back on his day job -- The Office. This one will be cleaned up a bit for airing on an advertiser-supported network. 7 p.m., USA
Ghost Whisperer: Waco's own Jennifer Love Hewitt scares up another storm of angst while series co-star Jay Mohr gets to play opposite his real-life wife, Nikki Cox. 7 p.m., KTVT/Channel 11
Can You Duet: A dozen amateur duos remain, and tonight they'll be "mentored" by Naomi Judd, who's also one of this show's three judges. The field then will be cut to eight. 7 p.m., CMT
Friday Night Smackdown!: Hey, if it's good enough for the three remaining major party presidential candidates ... Sens. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain all spouted some wrestling lingo during pitches to voters on last week's WWE Raw! But this WWE production's days are numbered -- at least on the CW. Having failed to sign a new contract, the two are parting ways after May's extravaganzas. 7 p.m., KDAF/Channel 33
Man vs. Wild: It's the first new episode since December, with star Bear Grylls getting down and dirty in Zambia this time out. 8 p.m., DSC
Moonlight: This companion piece to Ghost Whisperer has picked up a little momentum of late, and now looks like a decent bet for a second season next fall. Jauntily named Alex O'Loughlin stars as well-intended vampire detective Mick St. John. 8 p.m., KTVT/Channel 11
Larry King Live: This should be a pretty interesting hour, with the suspendered question-lobber welcoming Sidney Poitier as his only guest. The interview is tied to Poitier's new memoir, Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter. 8 p.m., CNN
Ringo Starr: Off the Record: One of just two surviving ex-Beatles drums up some more exposure during a one-on-one interview with the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart. 10 p.m., HBO
National Lampoon's Animal House: The near-legendary frat house comedy is now 30 years old! John Belushi, who tragically died at age 33, made his big-screen breakthrough as slovenly John "Bluto" Blutarsky. 11 p.m., USA
