Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Big" (1988), 7 p.m., FOX. Through a set of magical circumstances, a boy is given a man's body. Still, he has a child's heart that serves him well in his job (in a toy company) though not as well in his love life. That sounds silly, but it's done with immense skill. Tom Hanks is the perfect star, with terrific support from Elizabeth Perkins and Robert Loggia. More importantly, director Penny Marshall offers humor, warmth and great visuals. Some of the scenes — in a toy store and in Hanks' boyish apartment — are delightful.

Of Note

"Providence," 7 p.m., NBC. Now that Robbie and Tina are married, we can catch this rerun, which aired early in what was then a tempestuous courtship. Meanwhile, Syd dates a guy with serious health troubles. Joanie pretends to be dating her gay assistant, played by Scott Thompson ("The Kids in the Hall").

"The Mask" (1994), 8 p.m., TNT. Before Jim Carrey became a serious actor, he starred as a mild-mannered chap who transforms whenever he puts on a mask. The result is inconsistent, but has great special effects, plus good work from Cameron Diaz.

"The Greatest" (1977), 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., AMC. Now that Will Smith is playing Muhammad Ali in a new movie, we can catch this old and failed film — in which Ali played himself. Critics seemed to agree that as an actor, he's not the greatest.

"Domino Day 2001," 8 p.m., ABC. This hour looks at a competition to topple the most dominoes.

"Pride and Prejudice," 7 p.m., A&E. Here is the midsection of a rerun of the acclaimed miniseries (three nights, six hours) based on the Jane Austen novel.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Here is a rerun from last season, extending far from the usual format. Munch (Richard Belzer) fears that an abduction is done by the same man who committed a kidnapping-rape last year. Now he and Fin (Ice-T) hope to catch him in time.