Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
LOCAL INTEREST: "The Montel Williams Show," 4 p.m., ABC. Hawai'i Kai resident, neuropsychologist and author Dr. Paul Pearsall will discuss his book, "Partners in Pleasure." (A dancer from Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa 'Olapa Kahiko will also dance hula.)
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "Next: The Future Just Happened," 6 p.m. A&E. How far does the computer go in controlling our lives? As the second half of this interesting, two-night documentary begins, host Michael Lewis finds the consummate couple. They met on the Internet, married, now live with her son and five computers. The boy worries that they may be becoming obsessed — which is a logical concern. His stepdad will spend an entire evening on the Internet then bring a laptop along when he settles into bed.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel," 4 p.m., AMC (repeats at 7 p.m.). When Hattie McDaniel played Mammy in "Gone With the Wind," she reached an artistic peak and a social controversy. She became the first black actress to win an Academy Award. Then the minus, the debate began. Her critics said McDaniel perpetuated the image of blacks being confined to playing maids and servants. Her supporters — including Whoopi Goldberg, who narrates this film — say she was a great actress, trapped by Hollywood moguls who had tunnel vision. That brought a long struggle shown in this involving portrait.
"That '70s Show," 7 p.m., FOX. John Ratzenberger — Cliff on "Cheers" — guests in this rerun and warns Eric never to marry a high school sweetheart.
"Mysterious Ways," 7 p.m., Pax TV. Here's a rerun of a terrific episode with Declan injured in a river accident and taken to a mysterious camp.
"Spy TV," 7 p.m., NBC. In one gag, a doll comes to life before a child's eyes. In another a bad gas station attendant leaves the customers steaming.
"The Downer Channel," 7:30 p.m, NBC. One segment helpfully tells us the best songs to break up to. Another is based on something that actually happened to series creator Michael Halpern. "His neighbor has all of these mirrors reflecting to his house," producer Robert Morton said. "And ... she said, 'I'm reflecting the bad energy back to your house.'"
"Murder in Small Town X," 8 p.m., FOX. Tonight the clues continue and the field of contestants will be trimmed to seven.
