Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

MUST-SEE: "Dr. Quinn: The Heart Within," 7 p.m., CBS. For a gentle stretch in the 1990s TV rediscovered the quieter pleasure of period dramas. CBS had "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and "Christy"; the Disney Channel had "Avonlea." Now that era is back for a three-day spurt. Tonight, CBS airs a "Dr. Quinn" movie; on Sunday and Monday Pax-TV has a new "Christy" miniseries. Dr. Quinn (Jane Seymour) returns to Boston to see her adopted daughter (Jessica Bowman) graduate from Harvard Medical School. Going along are her outdoorsy husband, Sully (Joe Lando), and two other children. They soon face usual hurdles: Businessmen and politicians scheme to take over the West; men remain reluctant to let women do anything, including doctoring. It's a pleasure to re-visit the sturdy soul of Dr. Quinn's world. Still, it would be better if that included a more involving story.

"Sphere" (1998), 7 p.m., NBC. Some big-budget star power went into this science-fiction tale, which still didn't do much at the box office. Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson and Sharon Stone star in a tale of a spaceship discovered on the ocean floor.

"Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997), 7 p.m., ABC. "Speed" was a revelation. It was a fast and fun movie that fascinated the audience and turned two actors — Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock — into stars. Alas, this sequel drew little interest. It has Bullock taking a cruise with her new boyfriend (Jason Patric) when a madman (Willem Dafoe) seizes the ship.

"Biography," 9 p.m., A&E. This continues to have a new hour each night during May. Tonight is Eddie Albert. He was a serious actor who became known for the goofy "Green Acres."

"The District," 9 p.m., CBS. The police chief (Craig T. Nelson) faces an investigation that could end his career.