Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" season opener, 7 p.m., UPN. After flailing for years, UPN bought, for a fortune, WB's best show. The move is worth it, says James Marsters, who plays Spike. "How many really well-written shows are there on television?" "Buffy" is produced and written by Joss Whedon, the son and grandson of comedy writers. He skillfully juggles action, drama and layered characters. "Every year, consistently, each one of our characters has evolved," says star Sarah Michelle Gellar. The show is losing one of them now. Anthony Stewart Head, who plays Giles, is leaving. It also seemed to kill Buffy (Gellar) at the end of last season, but this show can shrug off that sort of thing quickly.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music," 9 p.m. on WB and 8 p.m. on TNT. Terrorist tragedies bring extra layers of impact to this special. For one thing, plans to tape this show in advance had to be scrapped. Now it will be shown live from New York's Radio City Music Hall with emotions high. For another, we hear the words of a peaceful man at a time when we need them most. Here is the lyricist of "Imagine," "Come Together" and "Give Peace a Chance." The night will include Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, Marc Anthony, Nelly Furtado, gospel star Yolanda Adams.
"Nova: The Search For a Safe Cigarette," 8 p.m., PBS. Generations ago, this documentary tells us, companies started developing cigarettes with fewer health risks and then scuttled the effort, fearing it would hurt business. Now they're serious, test-marketing high-tech devices of virtual smoking. This carefully crafted program takes a look.
"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. After last week's hilarious season opener, this series settles into its regular duty. Tonight, Sherilyn Fenn ("Twin Peaks") plays Niles' attentive patient, making Daphne jealous.
"Bob Patterson," 8 p.m., ABC. Jason Alexander plays a self-help leader who is unable to help himself from depression since his wife left. The result is inconsistent but offers lots of clever, edgy bits.
"Scrubs" premiere, 8:30 p.m., NBC. A young doctor (newcomer Zach Braff) begins his internship, surrounded by some daft docs, a gorgeous colleague (Sarah Chalke of "Roseanne") and odd touches. The show tries hard, with lots of voiceovers and visual surprises; for now, consider it a minor success.
