Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

• "Biography: The Impressionists," 4 p.m., Arts and Entertainment. In the first half of this documentary, we met young French artists whose styles didn't fit in. They resisted the grand subjects and lightly captured the beauty in current lives. They reach an extraordinary decision: They'll bypass the Paris art powers, putting on their own 1874 exhibition. A few people cheered; more scorned. Indeed, the word "impressionist" was originally used to slight someone who could merely create an impression. Gradually, these painters soared — and had internal disputes.

Pierre Auguste Renoir sometimes rejoined the establishment, boosting his career. Edgar Degas became increasingly bitter, especially toward Jews. When anti-Semitism rocked Paris, Camille Pissarro (a Portuguese Jew) was estranged from Degas. Unable to mingle in public, he painted — masterfully — what he saw out his window. For all their troubles, the impressionists thrived. From Renoir to Claude Monet, they redefined art. This documentary richly detailed and beautifully filmed — tells the story skillfully.

• "King of Queens," 7 p.m., CBS. When Doug spots Deacon on a dinner date, he faces a question: Is Deacon cheating on his wife if sex isn't involved?

• "Vietnam: On the Frontlines," 10 p.m., History Channel. This four-night documentary lets veterans do the talking, sometimes passionately. John Steer was a teenager from Minneapolis when his platoon was hit by a crossfire that left 90 percent casualties. "I pulled myself a long way — over bodies, through bodies, through parts of bodies," Steer recalls. That was in the fierce battle for possession of a hill; and even though the Viet Cong won, they vacated the hill the next night.

• "Back story," 8:45 p.m., American Movie Classics. A behind-the-scenes look at how Penny Marshall's "Big," starring a young Tom Hanks in a breakthrough performance, came to be made. (This repeats at 6 p.m. Saturday.)

• "Everybody loves raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. A funny rerun with Ray (Ray Romano) buying a vacuum cleaner from a pretty salesgirl (Tricia O'Kelley).

• "Snap Decision," 9 p.m., Lifetime. Here's a chilling, real-life story. Officials decided that some photos of three pre-schoolers were pornographic because the girls didn't have shirts on. Soon, their mom was fighting for custody. This is a disturbing tale, elevated by two fine actresses: Mare Winningham plays the mom, with Felicity Huffman as her friend.