More retro rewinds
(Catchy Comedy, Sunday, April 7): The comedian had a huge television hit in the early 1970s with this variety series, being shown here in the last half of a weekend-long marathon. In the stable of characters he portrayed in sketches, Wilson arguably was best-known for his sassy alter ego Geraldine Jones, but Reverend Leroy also was a popular character for him. Musical guests presented by Wilson ranged from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to James Brown and the Jackson 5.
(Hulu, streaming): Soon after his Oscar win for “Goodfellas,” Joe Pesci scored a popular comedy hit with the 1992 tale of a novice New York lawyer determined to spring his cousin (Ralph Macchio) from a murder charge in Alabama. This movie produced its own Oscar winner, Marisa Tomei, as the Pesci character’s fiancee, who proves to be key to the case. The expert lineup of supporting players includes Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith, Austin Pendleton and Bruce Mcgill.
(USA Network, Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12): An enduring action-movie franchise began with this 2001 saga, casting Paul Walker as a Los Angeles policeman who infiltrates a hard-driving crew of thieves led by an expert racer (Vin Diesel, who has been part of most of the direct sequels … which number nine to date). Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster are among the nominal co-stars, but the stunt drivers clearly are as responsible as any of the actors for the success of this picture and its follow-ups.
(Heroes & Icons, Friday, April 12): The Western series began its eighth and final season with “Encounter at Boot Hill,” putting Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood) — newly promoted to trail boss — dealing with the aftermath of a case of vigilantism. Eastwood’s upgraded status on the show wasn’t a result of his movie stardom, since “A Fistful of Dollars” hadn’t been released in America yet; it had more to do with the previously top-billed Eric Fleming’s dismissal from the series, part of an effort to re-energize “Rawhide.” Needless to say now (though we’ll say it), Eastwood went on to even greater fame.