Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Rocks With Wings," Midnight, PBS. There is a stark beauty to Shiprock, N.M. Here, in the Navajo Nation, is a city of 7,000 and an ambitious high school. At home some students lack phones or electricity; at school some are nudged toward computer careers. Shiprock residents learned the Navajo values of serenity and acceptance. Then came coach Jerry Richardson, telling the girls' basketball team to accept nothing less than the state championship. This documentary uses extensive tapes from the 1987 and '88 seasons, weaving in modern reflections. Shiprock women — many of them college grads — recall a time when basketball was everything. Rick Derby has crafted a slow, honest film. He includes Richardson's flaws and the night the team almost imploded. Throughout it all is deep humanity.

Of Note

"Ed," 7 p.m., NBC. This season Tim Busfield has been one of the show's producers, directing several episodes. Tonight, he returns to his role as Ed's hapless brother, Lloyd. His new scheme is to sell garish makeup at the bowling alley. Meanwhile, Eli tries to inspire Shirley to decorate for Christmas; Mike and Warren urge Mark to lose weight to avoid heart problems.

"GoldenEye" (1995), 8 & 11 p.m., USA Network. Pierce Brosnan became James Bond in this film, establishing himself as the best Bond since Sean Connery. Beyond that, it's an OK adventure with Famke Janssen as a deadly beauty.

"The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. As snow blankets the Northeast, a staffer gets a surprising visit from his father.

"Taken," 7, 9 and 11 p.m., SciFi Channel. Allie, the little girl with extra-terrestrial roots, has been captured by Beers. He uses her to lure a space ship. Now her parents scramble to find her. So does Mary Crawford, the granddaughter of an alien-hunter.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. When an Asian woman's body is found outside the apartment of an official from China, cops wonder if it was murder or suicide.