Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Human Instinct," 9 & 10 p.m., The Learning Channel. Here is the second half of an excellent documentary. Tonight, we learn about the instinct to compete. Hilarious footage shows what happens when mothers ignore the younger of two children. The tykes take extreme steps to get attention. Skills develop as we grow older and so does society's perception of which people seem more capable of greatness. One study, we see, had people analyze photos from the West Point Class of 1950 and by facial structure alone some were able to correctly guess which of the men had become generals. The second hour views the instincts that lead people to heroic action. Stories range from a Vietnam veteran to rescuers at the World Trade Center.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. Last week's episode ended with another shock: To help a young girl escape her abusive father, Kim stole the guy's car. Then she was stopped by traffic cop who found the body of the girl's mother in the trunk. Kim is under arrest while her dad, Jack Bauer, scrambles to find a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles.

Of Note

"Christmas Truce," 6 & 10 p.m., History Channel. On Dec. 25, 1914, during the first World War, German and British soldiers realized their common links. They had the same religion and even sang the same carols. They took things into their own hands that day, creating an unofficial truce. In some places it was weeks before shooting resumed. In a fairly dry, drab style, this documentary tells an extraordinary story.

"Saturday Night Live Christmas," 7 p.m., NBC. Lots of old sketches, some of them humorous, are woven together.

"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. Harm takes strong steps to reach Bud and Harriet's Christmas party.

"According to Jim," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Country singer Brad Paisley plays a musician who dates Dana.