Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Winter Olympics," 4-5 p.m., 6:30-10 p.m., 10:30 p.m.-midnight, NBC, with reruns, midnight-3:30 a.m. Also, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., MSNBC, 1-8 p.m., CNBC, with reruns 7 p.m.-1 a.m., MSNBC. It's time for ice dancing, which perplexes many viewers. We might have to learn, because it has three nights of TV time (tonight, Sunday and Monday) before the women figure skaters start Tuesday. In daytime today, men and women snowboarders have the parallel giant slalom. That continues into prime time, with the semifinals and finals. Also in prime time are the Nordic combined relay race and the finals of the luge doubles. The United States vs. Finland hockey game sprawls across three spots —prime time, CNBC and late night.

Of Note

"American Pie" (1999), 7 p.m., Fox. In movie theaters, this film — about four teens trying to lose their virginity before the prom — scored big. Now comes a cleaned-up (one assumes) TV airing.

"The Princess Bride" (1987), 6 p.m., ABC Family. This comic fairy tale is erratic, but has wonderful moments. Director Rob Reiner gathered a fascinating cast, from little Fred Savage to Andre the Giant.

"A Bug's Life" (1998), 8 p.m., Disney Channel; repeats at 9:50 p.m. The people who made "Toy Story" came up with another delight. Dave Foley (sounding a lot like Woody Allen) provides the voice of a misfit ant who tries to save his colony from evil grasshoppers.

"New Edition of Classic Bloopers," 8 p.m., ABC. Dick Clark is back with a fresh round of the usual flubs.

"In-Crowd and Social Cruelty," 9 p.m., ABC. The social pressure on teens can be relentless, John Stossel says in this new hour. Even the kids who become popular find themselves contorted by the effort.