The Week In Television

don't miss

Sunday 3/31 ESPN2 8 PM
? Indians at Angels
Baseball's regular season kicks off in Anaheim with the once mighty Indians' lineup now featuring Ricky Gutierrez, Brady Anderson and Milton Bradley instead of stars Roberto Alomar, Juan Gonzalez and Kenny Lofton.

Tuesday 4/2 TBS 8 PM
? Lakers at Wizards
The last time Michael Jordan (below) went against L.A., on Feb. 12 at the Staples Center, Air watched Heir ( Kobe Bryant) ring up 23 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds for his third career triple double in a 103-94 Lakers win.

Tuesday 4/2 ESPN 10 PM
?Mohr Sports
Late night adds another Jay as ESPN tackles the talk-show game with a sports and interview hour hosted by actor-comedian Jay Mohr.

sizzling & fizzling

?Gripping Grappling Coverage
Bravo to ESPN for recognizing that there are wrestling storylines that don't involve Vince McMahon or the Rock. Last weekend SportsCenter reporter Steve Cyphers documented Iowa State's Cael Sanderson's march toward perfection on the mat (page 44).

?Meet the Press
Some network should establish a regular forum for Tim Russert to interview sports figures. The NBC newsman's conversations with the Yankees' Jason Giambi, Mariano Rivera and Joe Torre for his eponymous CNBC show produced some poignant reflections on 9/11, among other topics.

?Still a Big Hitter
Adding former Padres great Tony Gwynn to its baseball broadcasting team is a coup for ESPN. Gwynn has the insights and intelligence to follow the path of Joe Morgan and Rick Sutcliffe as ex-jocks turned outstanding analysts.

?Oh, Baby
The inundation of promotional spots during the NCAA tournament telecasts hawking CBS's new comedy show Baby Bob left us praying they would throw out the Baby with the bathwater.

?Fan Interrupted
Lost amid discussion of the NFL's pending decision to make it possible to move more interesting games late in the regular season to ABC's Monday Night Football: the plight of ticket buyers who expected to attend a Saturday-or Sunday-afternoon game rather than one that sometimes ends in the wee hours on Tuesday on the East coast.