Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See: "The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. So you think you have a crowded Thanksgiving? Just look at President Bartlet (Martin Sheen). On the eve of the holiday, he's obsessing on where to spend it and how to cook the turkey. Meanwhile, his people fret about extraditing a teenage killer. They want to boost low totals in the approval polls and to fight a change that would increase the number of people listed as being in poverty. Then there are the two protesters in the lobby. This could be complicated.
Tonight's Must-See 2: "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" 8:30, p.m., ABC. Here's a "salute to television." One moment, the guys are in a hospital emergency room, impersonating everyone from Gary Coleman to Yogi Bear. The next, they're belting a ballad to Lassie. The highlight, however, has Sid Caesar in the closing bit. In deference to his age (79), Caesar is given a sit-down sketch. He promptly shows the kind of quick ear and tongue that first dazzled TV viewers a half-century ago. He is unfazed by a sketch that requires him to manufacture fake versions of several languages.
"National Geographic: Inside the Vatican," 8 p.m., PBS. Just before his White House series airs on another network, Martin Sheen views another seat of power. He narrates this visit to the Vatican.
"Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995) 8 p.m., USA Network. This wildly erratic film has Richard Dreyfuss as a high school music teacher. Dreyfuss is superb in a film that varies from absurd schmaltz to some richly moving moments.
"According to Jim," 8:30 p.m., ABC. Jim's own Thanksgiving custom involves a charity bowling tourney.
"On Stage at the Kennedy Center: The Mark Twain Prize," 9 p.m., PBS. Whoopi Goldberg gets the Mark Twain Prize for humor. That means she's roasted by such people as Chris Tucker, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams.
"Garth Brooks: Coast to Coast," 9 p.m., CBS. This concert was taped live on an aircraft carrier in Virginia.
"Law and Order," 9 p.m., NBC. When arson leads to a death the suspicion turns to environmental activists.
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Tonight on News 8
• At 5: In "Hawaii Healthcast," Cindy Paliracio looks at a new procedure to help heart patients.
• At 10: Minna Sugimoto shows you what it's like to be a teacher, in "Candid Classroom."
