Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
• TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "The King of Queens," 7 p.m., CBS and "Kevin James: Sweat the Small Stuff," 7 and again at 8:30 p.m., Comedy Central.
Kevin James has become a master of minutiae. In his situation comedy, "The King of Queens," and his standup act he gives us the humor and frustration of an everyday life.
The sitcom has James (Doug) and the terrific Leah Remini (Carrie) living with her eccentric dad (played by Jerry Stiller, who actually is Ben Stiller's eccentric dad.) Occasionally, they grumble about their neighbors, played by Bryan Cranston (of "Malcolm in the Middle") and Dee Dee Rescher. In tonight's rerun, the neighbors build and Carrie sues. On Comedy Central, James premieres his standup special. It was taped in his hometown of New York City, which you'll realize as soon as you notice that everyone is wearing black. Chunks of this hour are average. Other parts, however, make it worth catching. We hear James' wise rules about life. ("You shouldn't be allowed to eat fruit at a ballpark.") We hear of his frustrations at airports, theaters and beyond. There's even an account of guys and greeting cards plus a remarkable pantomime (with piano accompaniment) of a woman card-shopping. Then there's James' account of his girl friend, who previews movies before he does, then forever urges him to "watch this part."
• "Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. Among other things, we see contestants urged to eat sheep's eyeballs. This would seem to be another commanding reason to watch "King of Queens."
• "The Edge" (1997), 8 p.m., ABC. David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, wrote this script, which may appeal to "Survivor" fans: A plane crash leaves a quiet billionaire (Anthony Hopkins) in the Alaskan wilds with two men — one of whom he suspects of having an affair with his beautiful young wife (Elle Macpherson). Now the men face danger from each other and from the elements; Bart the Bear co-stars effectively as a terribly large bear.
• "State of Grace," 6-7 p.m., Fox Family Channel. These two reruns will help you catch up with an excellent new cable series about two mismatched teen girls — one from an earnest Jewish family, the other from a flashy WASP one — in the 1960s. The first has Grace inviting herself to Hannah's home; the second brings Hannah to Grace's mansion.
• "When He Didn't Come Home" (1998), 9-11 p.m., Lifetime. Patty Duke and Kelly Rowan gave excellent performances, in this true story of a woman whose grown son simply disappeared.
• "Becker," 8:30 p.m., CBS. Jaclyn Smith guests in this rerun, playing John's former girlfriend, suddenly back in his life.
