Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Taken" premiere, 7, 9 & 11 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. Here's a sprawling epic that's stunning in its ambition. It covers 20 hours — two hours each weekday for the next 10 days (Dec. 2-6, and Dec. 9-13). The story spans four generations and 55 years.

The sampling we've seen indicates a miniseries that is dark and morose, yet richly crafted. It's produced by Steven Spielberg who continues his fascination with extra-terrestrials — but not his optimism. The story begins in 1947. While over France, fighter pilot Capt. Russell Keys (Steve Burton) confronts haunting events during an air battle. In Roswell, N.M., Capt. Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch) probes a crash in the desert near his army base. And in Texas a lonely woman (Catherine Dent) meets a handsome stranger (Eric Close). The results will continue for decades.

The miniseries is hauntingly narrated by young Dakota Fanning ("I Am Sam") whose character doesn't show up until next week.

Of Note

"Intimate Portrait," 7 p.m., Lifetime. This portrait of Elizabeth Taylor is soaked in idolatry. Whenever Taylor is interviewed, she seems daft. Despite all that, keep watching. Taylor's life is filled with huge twists and turns; some of the others interviewed — Robert Wagner, Carrie Fischer, Kate Burton — provide much-needed wit and wisdom.

"Boston Public," 7 p.m., Fox. Harper, the school principal, is in jail now after the death of a student's father.

"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. Here's a rerun of the episode in which Ray wrote an advance eulogy of his dad — drawing some quick arguments.

"Third Watch," 8 p.m., NBC. This starts a two-parter in which a young boy is a key murder witness but could be in danger if he testifies. Meanwhile, a bitter Sully is a bad colleague for Yokas.

"Crossing Jordan," 9 p.m., NBC. The last time Jordan and Woody were in Los Angeles together they found lots of trouble. They head back there after a starlet's body is found in a semi trailer on a country road.