Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
MUST-SEE: "P.O.V.: Scout's Honor," 10 p.m., PBS. For 13 years, this series has had powerful documentaries. Many have been great but most have reflected a strong point-of-view. Now the 14th season begins with an amazing accomplishment: "Scout's Honor" is a feel-good film about bias. That centers on the Boy Scouts' decision that gays cannot be Scouts or leaders. The feel-good tone comes from two people who countered that with Scouting for All. Steven Cozza was 12 when the group started; Dave Rice was 70. Neither is gay; both say they loved scouting but hated exclusions. This film follows their triumphs (Cozza is an Eagle Scout) and setbacks (Rice was ousted after a half-century of Scout leadership). It's a complex issue, yet a stirring one.
"Intimate Portrait: Laila Ali," 7 p.m., Lifetime. There's a star quality to the daughter of boxing champ Muhammad Ali. In the ring she defeated Jacqui Frazier-Lyde; in these interviews she seems worthy to verbally spar with her dad. She tells of her response to his advice: "It was, `Why should you come into town every three months and tell me how to dress?' "
"Go Fish," 7 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., NBC. This series opens with brothers at opposite points. Andy (Kiernan Culkin, Macaulay's brother) is new to high school and frets about popularity and girls. Pete (Will Friedle of "Boy Meets World") is a new teacher, returning to the school where he was wildly popular. That's part of a situation-comedy that's busy and erratic. Some moments — especially with Culkin or Andy Dick — have the wit of "Popular" or "Malcolm in the Middle"; others are sitcom dumb.
"Bill Moyers Reports: Earth on Edge," 8-10 p.m., PBS. Moyers rarely settled for easy subjects. This film tours the world while seeking scientific answers about whether we're straining the capacity of the Earth to support people.
"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962), 8 p.m., AMC. John Frankenheimer brilliantly filmed (in black-and-white) this thriller about politics and brainwashing.
"First Annual BET Awards," 6 p.m., BET. In this show's premiere, the ceremony packs star power. Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer will introduce music by Whitney Houston (who's getting a lifetime achievement award), Destiny's Child, Sisqo, Eve and more.
