Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"An Evening With the Dixie Chicks," 7 p.m., NBC. Here is musical television without the frills. We get an hour of pure Dixie Chicks. The soaring, traditional-type instrumental work of Emily Robison and Martie Maguire offer perfect counterpoint to the passionate, rock-style voice of Natalie Maines. This concert — taped at the elegant Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles — starts right off with the brilliant "Long Time Gone." From that peak, things never stumble. The fun stuff is here from "White Trash Wedding" to "Goodbye Earl." So are songs of heartbreaking beauty, including Stevie Nicks' "Landslide," Radney Foster's "Godspeed" and Patty Griffin's "Top of the World." Here's a great trio in top form. Catch it.
Of Note
"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. With Christmas on the way, dad's goal is simple: He wants the best lights in the neighborhood.
"Taken," 7 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. Tonight, we meet the remarkable character who has been narrating the miniseries from the beginning. She's Allie, played by the fascinating young Dakota Fanning ("I Am Sam"). Allie's parents are both third-generation descendants of 1947 alien incidents. They try to protect her while Mary Crawford (granddaughter of a fierce alien hunter) tries to kidnap her.
"According to Jim," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Jim feuds with a neighbor just as his wife wants to be invited to the neighbor's Christmas party.
"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Martin must decide which son will host the annual Christmas party. Meanwhile, Roz falls for a handsome guy (Dean Cain) in a Santa suit.
"24," 8 p.m., Fox. Last week, Jack was supposed to interrogate Nina, the spy who killed his wife. An officer was there to keep him from taking revenge — only Jack drugged the guy's drink. Now things get tense. Meanwhile, Jack's daughter is still on the run, protecting a little girl from her violent dad.
"Cleavage," 7 p.m., A&E. Yesterday, this cable channel spent 10 minutes astutely examining policies on Middle East war and peace. Tonight, it spends two hours examining our interest in breasts.
