Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"America's First River: Moyers on the Hudson," 9 p.m., PBS. Back in 1609, Henry Hudson searched for the mythic Northwest Orient passage to the East. What he found instead was a 315-mile river of stunning beauty. During the Revolutionary War the British were obsessive about controlling it. Traitor Benedict Arnold even gave them the plans to West Point, at river's edge. Beyond that, the Hudson River became a symbol for the wild beauty of this new world. A "Hudson River School" of painters developed, depicting a new Eden. "It was in the Hudson Valley that we found America the beautiful — and almost lost it," Bill Moyers, this documentary's producer and host says in the film. He's referring to the Hudson pollution. That will be pondered tomorrow in the conclusion.

Of Note

"Dharma & Greg," 7 p.m., ABC. A little girl becomes fond of Dharma and Greg. Meanwhile, Greg's mom must do community service.

"Andy Richter Controls the Universe," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Don't most comedies have an episode in which someone takes care of a friend's pet? Tonight, Andy watches Jessica's cat.

"Watching Ellie," 7:30 p.m., NBC. Ellie's career is already slumping when she gets another setback: Ben invites Dr. Zimmerman, the neighborhood veterinarian, to sing with the band.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. With only four hours (and four episodes) left, the pressure tightens and Jack gets backup help.

"Philly," 8 and 9 p.m., ABC. New episodes air back-to-back. The first includes a woman charged with killing her rapist; the second has a stripper accused of stealing from her club.

"The Real Scorpion King," 6 p.m., History Channel. Days after "The Scorpion King" opens in theaters, this film tries to tell the story of Egypt's first all-powerful ruler called King Scorpion.