“100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the ’80s”
Tuesday-Friday 10pm, VH1
A few years back, VH1 provoked my ire by naming Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” as the No. 1 song of the ’80s. As if! But you can’t go wrong with a topic this cheesy. Relive some of the most infectious choruses and atrocious fashions ever committed to tape in this four-night special hosted by Judah Friedlander, “30 Rock”’s expert in trucker cap chic. Off the top of my head, I can think of some major contenders, from Nena’s “99 Red Balloons” to Toni Basil’s “Mickey” to Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science.” But I’m pulling for Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” (Midgets! Ren Faire chic! Chicken masks!) to make the Top 10, and think it would be criminal to ignore A-Ha’s live action/animation hybrid “Take on Me,” which is still a legitimately awesome video nearly 25 years later.
Pedro: The Movie
Wednesday 8pm, MTV
Back before “The Real World” turned into our nation’s leading skank breeding ground, it featured young people dealing with serious issues. No cast member has had a greater impact than Pedro Zamora, part of the show’s third season, based in San Francisco. When the show debuted in 1994, Zamora became one of the first openly gay men living with HIV/AIDS to star on a national television program. His openness about his condition and passion for AIDS awareness helped to bring the disease into mainstream America’s attention. Even after Zamora’s death, his legacy lives on. This new made-for-TV movie dramatizes Pedro’s life leading up to, during, and after his time in San Francisco that changed his life, and maybe changed the world.
“E.R.”
Thursday 9pm, NBC
After 15 seasons, we bid the doctors at County General adieu, as the one-time top TV drama comes to an end following a one-hour series retrospective. Like most viewers I lost interest during the constant cast defections and increasingly ridiculous plotlines that characterized the middle seasons, but the show has done a good job bringing back some of its most notable alums for cameos throughout this final season. Noah Wyle’s John Carter returned for a multi-episode arc, Julianna Margulies and George Clooney made cameos a few weeks ago, and even Anthony Edwards’ long-dead Mark Greene appeared in some smart flashbacks. Expect this last episode to focus more on the current cast.