September 5, 1994

PICKS & PANS

David Hiltbrand

FORTUNE HUNTER
Fox (Sundays, 7 p.m. ET)

Mark Frankel plays Carlton Dial, the ace operative for Intercept, a high-tech international retrieval organization. He’s dashing, unflappable, quippy and absolutely irresistible to the ladies. In his tony British accent he introduces himself as ”Dial. Carlton Dial.'” Remind you of anyone?

No, not Floyd the Barber. I was thinking of James Bond. So, obviously, was Fox. But this 007 knockoff is so callow and cartoonish, it won’t make anyone forget Roger Moore — or even George Lazenby for that matter. Because our hero is a mercenary, not a government agent, you can forget the license to kill. In fact, with several lawsuits pending against Intercept, the only gun Dial can legally carry shoots tranquilizer darts. Dial’s annoying refrain when leaping into action (whether antagonistic or romantic) is, ”You just said the magic words.”

Sure it’s weak and witless entertainment, but it’s harmless enough. And that may be all you can handle after your brain has been pounded into tapioca by six hours of football. The show’s only real asset is Frankel, who could give Lucky Vanous a run for his torso. Uh-oh! I believe I just said the magic words. Grade: C