Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Iron Chef USA: Showdown in Las Vegas," 9:30 p.m., UPN (seen on KFVE, after UH basketball). "The Iron Chef" began as a cooking show that became a hit in Japan. "They did 300 (episodes)," says Larry Thompson, who produced this special. "It was so bizarre that people in Japan were running around Tokyo, dressed like Iron Chefs ... It's as big to Fuji TV as 'Star Trek' is to Paramount." Reruns (dubbed in English) are a hit on the Food Channel. Now Thompson is making this American version. "We've created the hyper level of a sporting event," he says. Thompson is quite happy with hype, especially when discussing chefs: "These guys are athletes, they're artists. We are watching Picasso and Monet paint off."

OF NOTE

"Providence," 7 p.m., NBC. Isabella Hoffman ("Homicide," "Dear John") guests as a psychologist who helps Syd face some of her past troubles. Meanwhile, her dad — still recovering from a shooting that left him with a head injury — faces troubles in rehab.

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," 7 p.m., and "Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Two cartoon reruns put classic characters in the holiday spirit.

"Thieves," 8 p.m., ABC. A killer has stolen a list of undercover agents. Now Johnny and Rita must steal it back.

"Billy Madison" (1995), 9 p.m., USA Network. Adam Sandler plays a grownup who must return to school — starting in first grade — before getting his inheritance.

"Barbara Walters Special," 9 p.m., ABC. Anyone who likes ABC's "Thieves," which has pretty people stealing things in glamorous settings, probably will like the upcoming remake of "Ocean's Eleven." Here, Walters interviews the stars, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Don Cheadle.