Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
MUST-SEE: "MTV Movie Awards," 6 p.m., MTV. The awards themselves are wildly insignificant, but one thing is clear: MTV knows how to throw a fun party. Expect some laughs. This year's hosts are Jimmy Fallon — who does a good job in the "Saturday Night Live" newscasts — and actress Kirsten Dunst. And expect music. That includes Weezer, Dave Matthews and one big-deal combination: Linking to sing their "Lady Marmalade" (from "Moulin Rouge") will be Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink.
LOCAL INTEREST: "Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song," 7:30 p.m. (repeats 9:30 p.m. Sunday), Public TV. Kawai Cockett and Darlene Ahuna are the focus of this program.
"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. One mildly amusing story has Phoebe's former lover returning from Russia for a visit. Another has Monica and Chandler obsessed with cheesecake that arrives by accident.
"The Frighteners" (1996), 7 p.m., Fox. Here's an oddity about a scam artist (Michael J. Fox) who suddenly finds himself facing real ghosts. In theaters it was long but fun. With about 20 minutes chopped out to fit a TV slot, it should be better.
"All the President's Men" (1976), 8:30 p.m., AMC. One of the great periods in journalism coincided with one of the bad periods in the American presidency. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman play Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, in an excellent account of the two Washington Post reporters who dug out the truth about Watergate.
"Philadelphia" (1993), 8 p.m., TNT. Here's another classic. Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his role as a lawyer who was fired because he had AIDS. Denzel Washington also turns in a stunning performance as the homophobic lawyer who comes to his aid.
"Vietnam: On the Frontlines," 10 p.m., History Channel. The finale to this four-part series looks at the chaotic moments during the fall of Saigon.
"The Sure Thing" (1985), 6 p.m., The National Network. Rob Reiner superbly directed this delightful comedy about a road trip taken by mismatched college students, played by John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga.
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Dr. Kovac treats both a drunken driver and his victim.
