Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

MIGHT-SEE: "There's Something About Mary" (1998), 7 p.m., Fox. Can droll wit and crude humor co-exist? It does in this movie, which ranges all the way from clever to addle-brained. At the core is a guy (Ben Stiller) who became obsessed with the beautiful girl he almost took to his senior prom. Now, 13 years later, he rediscovers her — and finds others sharing his obsession. As played by Cameron Diaz, she's a glorious blend of form and substance. "Mary" is best known for its bursts of crude sight gags. Few films have been more relentless in doling out damage to pets, to the physically and mentally challenged and to the groin of its hero. Stiller, Diaz and Matt Dillon are attractive, but they are also skilled actors. Under the direction of Peter and Bobby Farrelly, they play it straight; the blend of calm characters and outrageous events becomes far funnier than expected.

"Batman and Robin" (1997) 7 p.m., CBS. While Fox has the comedy of "Mary," CBS has sheer starpower. George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell have the title roles, with Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl; the prime villains are Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy. There are lots of big special effects, plus such pretty people as Elle Macpherson and Vivica Fox.

"Providence," 7 p.m., NBC. The season finale brings more trouble for the new romance between Syd and a politician.

Daytime Emmy awards, 8 p.m., NBC. Each year, Kathie Lee Gifford sat in the audience, as a nominee, but never a winner for "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee." Now that she's left the show, she has a better idea; she's playing host of the ceremony. Regis Philbin, her former colleague, is nominated again, but he'll be busy with a new stage show and won't be around to see himself not win.