Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

MUST SEE: "Carmen," 5 p.m., MTV. Let's credit MTV for sheer ambition: It has reshaped the Bizet opera "Carmen" into a musical with a hip-hop sound. Let's also credit it with coining a phrase: This is a "hip hopera." Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child stars as the young woman who is — as in Bizet's story — too hot for her turf. She confronts a cop, played by Mekhi Phifer.

MUST SEE II: "3rd Rock From the Sun" (NBC) or "Titus" (Fox), both 7:30 p.m. Both these comedies start two-parters with fun guest stars. Wrapping up its final season, "Third Rock," has the Solomons searching for a second alien team; John Cleese, of "Monty Python" fame, returns to his guest role. "Titus," by comparison, is still evolving. This season, Titus saw his car-customizing business fall apart. Tonight, he tries to get money by racing. Jay Leno, a real-life car buff, appears briefly

"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. For years, it's been obvious that Harm (David James Elliott) and Mac (Catherine Bell) belong together. Here are two lawyers, tall and attractive, bright and earnest. Tonight, they discuss their relationship, complete with flashbacks.

"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Rene Auberjonois ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") returns to his role as the psychiatrist who was Frasier's mentor.

"NYPD Blue," 9 p.m., ABC. With Diane (Kim Delaney) leaving, Danny is feeling down. Meanwhile, he focuses on a stripper suspected of murder.

"Judging Amy," 9 p.m., CBS. With Amy sick and delirious, her mother (Tyne Daly) is engulfed in personal and family troubles.