Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Rocky" (1976), 7 p.m., NBC.

After a blizzard of sequels and silly Sylvester Stallone shoot-em-ups, it's easy to forget how good the original "Rocky" was. Stallone wrote this tale of a broken-down boxer making a seedy living as a loan collector. Suddenly, the guy gets one shot at respect, in a title fight. Hollywood wanted to buy the script and give it to a big name star. But Stallone, a relative newcomer, insisted on playing the title role.

John Avildsen directed brilliantly.

His boxing scenes are tough and visceral; the drama scenes resonate with rich, human emotions. The cast — led by Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young and Burgess Meredith — is perfect.