Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannette News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The Osbournes," 8:30 p.m., MTV. Last week's season opener ended just before Sharon Osbourne learned she has cancer. Tonight we get the aftershocks. "When I found out, it was like something stabbing me," says daughter Kelly. Sharon and her son, Jack, continue to show good spirits and quick wit. Her husband does not. "Ozzy was going through detox," Sharon tells the camera, "so he wasn't the strongest." We see that. "She's my whole world," Ozzy groans while bumbling through a rock tour. Still, there are fun moments.

"Taken," 7, 9 & 11 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. In Monday's opener of this 20-hour epic, alien encounters transformed two lives. Now a Texas woman has a son who is only half-Earthling. Meanwhile, a pilot haunted by abductions fears his son may be taken, too. And an Army officer relentlessly pursues the Roswell aftermath. Those stories continue tonight in a chapter beautifully directed by Breck Eisner.

Of Note

"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. Here's a rerun of the pilot, an enjoyable episode that helped make this a ratings hit. John Ritter plays a guy coping with raising a son and two daughters — one popular and sexy, one acerbic.

"Just Shoot Me," 7 p.m., NBC. Maya ghostwrites a poem in order to help Finch in a class. Naturally, there are repercussions. Meanwhile, Nina poses for a new version of her famous pinup pose.

"She's All That" (1999), 8 p.m., USA Network. A popular teen (Freddie Prinze Jr.) insists he can turn a frumpy artist (Rachael Leigh Cook) into a prom queen. The story is familiar but this variation has a fair amount of humor and warmth.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. When last season ended we learned that Nina was the mole. She killed Jack's wife and plotted to kill a senator. Tonight, Jack (who once had an affair with her) interrogates her.

"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. In a rerun of a well-made episode, Frasier and Niles visit their childhood home and think they've found a murder mystery.