Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

MUST-SEE: "Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life," 7 p.m., CBS. Let's give the networks credit for trying. On the first full week of the summer season, they're using musicians to avoid the all-rerun doldrums. ABC had the "World Music Awards" and the ALMA (Latino) awards. Fox has an American Film Institute tribute to Barbra Streisand. Tonight, it's CBS' turn. It put producer Ken Ehrlich — who's done great work on everything from the Grammys to the Ricky Martin and Shania Twain specials — in charge. Ehrlich followed the Boys at two Los Angeles concerts, in quieter moments and during a four-day swirl of international interviews. Even people who dislike boy bands can appreciate the effort.

"The Simpsons," 7 p.m., Fox. Speaking of boy bands, this rerun has a producer making a misguided attempt to create one in Springfield — with Bart, Milhouse, Nelson and Ralph. There's a brief appearance by 'N Sync, the band often seen as Backstreet Boys rivals.

"Now and Then" (1995), 8 p.m., CBS. There's some real starpower here, but only briefly. Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O'Donnell and Rita Wilson play friends gathering for a baby shower. It flashes back to a summer in their teens, when the movie's young stars — Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffman and Ashleigh Aston Moore — take over.

"Million Dollar Mysteries," 8 p.m., Fox. This looks back at some old questions including the idea that a strange metal — purportedly from a crashed UFO — was found in 1947 in Roswell, N.M.

"Braveheart" (1995) conclusion, 6 p.m., USA Network. In the first half of this Oscar-winning movie, we saw William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson, who also directed) becoming a leader in Scotland's attempts to fight British oppressors. Tonight's conclusion includes epic amounts of heroism and tragedy.

"Spin City," 8:30 p.m., ABC. Charlie makes what might be a strategic mistake, beating his prideful boss (the mayor) in racquetball.