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What: “Sports Pages”

Where: Showtime, Sunday, 8 p.m.

The premise behind this 90-minute special is intriguing. Pick two stories from the annals of sports and take a comedic look at them. The problem is the execution.

The first story is saved by Bob Newhart, who plays Doc Lionel Maddems, a golfer on trial for murdering his playing partner. It is based on a short story by 1920s humorist Don Marquis.

The second story is a fictional look at the “Heidi Bowl,” the 1968 game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders that was interrupted with 1:05 left when an NBC technician switched to the children’s movie, “Heidi.” Somehow, a lively topic is turned into a boring story, the victim of a bad script.

In the first story, Maddems’ playing partner, Howard Greene, is played by Kelsey Grammer. As Marquis’ story goes, Maddems would have broken 100 for the first time had it not been for Greene, a stickler for the rules. On the third hole, Greene called a two-stroke penalty on Maddems for grounding his club in a trap. The topper comes on No. 18, when Maddems, despite it all, taps in for a 99.

However, Greene calls him for a two-stroke penalty for not removing the pin. Maddems goes after Greene with his putter. You may be able to guess the jury’s verdict.

The “Heidi” story is told through several fictional characters. One is an NBC switchboard operator whose husband has a little get-together that turns into a full-scale party. There is a bookie whose personal fortune depends on the outcome of the game. There also is the rookie technician who caused the game to disappear, a spooky character. Also included in this segment are real people who break in with real recollections of that day.