Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"An American Celebration at Ford's Theatre," 8 p.m., ABC. Each year this special has offered a fine mixture of comedy and strong, soul-stirring music. This time no comedians were booked, although some laughs are provided by host Kelsey Grammer and magician David Copperfield. There's also a wonderfully comic song, superbly delivered by Kristin Chenoweth. The real pleasure, however, is in the powerhouse music. Stevie Wonder offers "Superstition" and even implores the black-tie crowd to clap along. There's also pop (Mandy Moore), gospel (Yolanda Adams) and country (SheDaisy). Then there's Daniel Rodriguez, the New York City policeman whose voice drew national attention after Sept. 11. He delivers a stirring "This is the Moment." All of this happens in the theater in which Abraham Lincoln was shot. Dormant for 103 years, it was beautifully restored. Like Rodriguez, the theater offers a symbol of tragedy transcended.

Of Note

"Providence," 7 p.m., NBC. For more than three years, Dr. Syd Hansen has faced woes; that might ease off now. "We're going to see a nice change in Syd, which I'm kind of excited by," says Melina Kanakaredes, who plays her. That starts tonight when she enters a fund-raising water-pistol competition.

"Shackleton," 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., A&E. The terrific miniseries reruns in one chunk. Kenneth Branagh plays the real-life explorer whose Antarctic expedition required awesome survival instincts.

"First Monday," 8 p.m., CBS. Here's a rerun of the so-so opener. Joe Mantegna plays a new Supreme Court justice who joins a court that's often split evenly.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. In this rerun, Stabler tries to get an HIV-positive guy who preys on young girls.