Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Reba" series premiere, 7 p.m., WB (seen on KFVE). For the third time, WB plans to introduce this comedy series. Originally set for Sept. 14, it was then postponed because of the national day of mourning. Then set for Sept. 21, it was postponed by the fund-raising telethon. Now it may go unnoticed — too bad, because this is the season's best new comedy series. Reba McEntire, the country music star, has a no-nonsense manner and Oklahoma accent that makes her ideal to play the lone voice of sanity. The people around her seem totally daft, including her husband (a philandering dentist) and their daughter (a cheery pompon girl), played perfectly by Christopher Rich and JoAnna Garcia. This is comedy that's fast, frantic and verbal, the kind we used to get in "Designing Women."

OF NOTE

"Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. The focus is firmly on Benson (Mariska Hargitay) as it becomes clear someone is killing others to hurt her. The bad news is that the story is stretched, forcing Benson to do some foolish and unlikely things. The good news is that Hargitay is a terrific actress who pulls it off.

"Raising Dad" series premiere, 7:30 p.m., WB (seen on KFVE). This new show also faced multiple postponements but no loss. Bob Saget plays a widowed teacher who has troubles with his kids in a surprisingly bland show.

"The Ellen Show," 7 p.m., CBS. A new restaurant, sort of like Hooters, opens in Ellen's hometown. She's incensed; others shrug.

"Thieves," 8 p.m., ABC. In last week's wonderful pilot film, two gorgeous thieves (John Stamos and Melissa George) were caught and forced to work for the good guys. They're supposed to steal a valuable painting from an arms dealer.

"Pasadena," 8 p.m., FOX. Now that Will has disgraced himself, his father-in-law has a new choice to run the family-owned newspaper. That causes more complications.