Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
OF LOCAL INTEREST
"Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song," 7:30 p.m., PBS, and "Seventh Annual Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest," 9 p.m., KFVE. Hawaiian music is in the air: This week's "Na Mele" features musician Sean Na'auao; the annual Hawaiian falsetto contest comes later in the evening.
"Countdown to the Kickoff," 8:30 p.m., NBC. A preview of University of Hawai'i football.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE (cable)
"2001 MTV Video Music Awards," 3 p.m., MTV. When MTV puts on an award show the result is bright, eccentric and admirably unpredictable. Tonight, Jamie Foxx is the host. Performers include Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, *NSYNC, U2, Ja Rule, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Alicia Keys and Staind. Elliott ("Get Ur Freak On") and U2 ("Beautiful Day") are also up for best video. They face Janet Jackson ("All for You"), Fatboy Slim ("Weapon of Choice"), Eminem and Dido ("Stan") and Mya, Lil' Kim, Pink and Christina Aguilera ("Lady Marmalade").
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE (network TV)
"Friends," 7:30 p.m., NBC. NBC stuffs the night with reruns and guest stars, including Woody Harrelson, Kathleen Tuner and Sally Field. The best is this one. The story focuses on Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), the only person who could turn a telemarketing job into a suicide hotline. She happens to call a depressed cubicle-dweller played by Jason Alexander. Their scenes offer a wondrous link of two gifted comedy actors. In a sub-story, Monica and Ross learn their parents are selling the family home. The earlier "Friends," at 7 p.m., is a relatively so-so rerun, finally letting us meet Chandler's dad. The one clever touch came in casting: The character, a cross-dresser, is played by Kathleen Turner.
"Goodwill Games," 8-11 p.m., TNT. Michelle Kwan, still hoping for Olympic gold, warms up for her next try.
"Night Visions," 8 p.m., FOX. Chad Lowe has endless bad luck after bumping into a man.
"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. This rerun brings Harrelson back as the slovenly guy Grace is drawn to.
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Sally Field returns in this rerun with a desire to go back to where she grew up. Meanwhile, Benton's past and present girlfriends argue.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 9 p.m., CBS. For the second time, a body is found in a bathtub with a tape-recorder.
