Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT"S MUST-SEE: "Victoria and Albert" conclusion, 6 p.m. and again at 10 p.m., A&E. In the opening half of this mini-series, we saw a shy and controlled teen-ager suddenly transform. At 18, she became queen of England. That left her with the job of finding a mate. She chose Albert, her German cousin who had little money but grand looks. Now she's absorbed in his duties and he is longing for useful things to do. He'll find them tonight, in an episode that can't match the opener, yet remains interesting. Victoria Hamilton is wonderful as the queen and Jonathan Firth is fine as Albert. They're surrounded by some skillful Dame Diana Rigg (as her former nanny, now running the household) and David Suchet (as his adviser).

"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. Two code experts are killed in what was supposed to be a secure room.

"Emeril," 7 p.m., NBC. Vincent Pastore ("The Sopranos") guest stars on Emeril"s cooking show. That sets off a running debate about our fascination with mobsters. Like other "Emeril" episodes, it's inconsistent but offers splashes of writer Linda Bloodworth's biting wit.

"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. This terrific show pauses to offer an adequate rerun. Frasier is drawn to a beauty (Tushka Bergen) he sees on the bus; to meet her, he must pretend his father is looking for a retirement home.

"Spin City," 8:30 p.m. ABC. Queen Latifah guest stars as a psychic and a political adviser.

"Scrubs," 8:30 p.m., NBC. When J.D. accidentally reveals a benevolent insurance scam, he finds himself wedged between two imposing doctors, Cox and Kelso.

Tonight on News 8

Get the latest news at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. from Howard Dashefsky and Jodi Leong, plus up-to-the-minute weather from Sharie Shima.

• In Parenting, Minna Sugimoto reports on what parents who lose their jobs should tell their children.

• In a News 8 Extra, health reporter Cindy Paliracio looks at ways to make menstruation a seasonal, rather than monthly, event.