Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar," 8:30 p.m., Fox. A week ago, R.J. Helton barely survived. Viewers kept him in and voted Christina Christian out — a decision that annoyed outspoken judge Simon Cowell. Now we get this week's result. One person — Helton, Kelly Clarkson, Tamyra Gray, Justin Guarini or Nikki McKibbin — will be gone as we move toward the Sept. 4 finale.

"Out of Sight" (1998), 8 p.m., USA Network. After years as an art-house favorite, director Steven Soderbergh tried this mainstream film. It worked so well that he went on to score with "Erin Brockovich," "Traffic" and "Ocean's Eleven." "Out of Sight" starts with a good story (from an Elmore Leonard novel) about a charming convict who escapes and takes a gorgeous FBI agent hostage. It has a great cast, led by George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, and Soderbergh's flawless visual touch.