Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's must-see

"Masterpiece Theatre: Othello," 9 p.m., PBS. Whether we admit it or not, many of us can't penetrate the thick tangle of William Shakespeare's words. The power of his plays is lost on us. Now comes a grand exception. Andrew Davies has taken only the plot of "Othello," giving it modern words and a modern setting. He does it brilliantly — the result being a sleek, modern production. The camera work is compelling, and Eamonn Walker's performance as John Othello crackles with ferocity and pain.

Of note

"Boston Public," 7 p.m., FOX. Academic opposites collide in a debate between Scott Guber's all-stars and Harry Senate's class.

"Biography," 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., A&E. For decades, Frank Gifford was a Monday-night staple. Now he's back, for one night. Here is a portrait of a guy who had a modest-income childhood, then became a football Hall of Famer, a sportscaster and (for better or worse) the husband of Kathie Lee Gifford.

"Fidel," 8 p.m., Showtime, 6 p.m., Showtime Digital (ch. 633). The first half of this miniseries portrayed Fidel Castro (played by Victor Hugo Martin) in a heroic light, leading his guerrilla warriors against a corrupt government. In this second half, he's far less of a hero.

"Noah" (1998), 8:55 p.m., Disney Channel. Here is a delightful film, with Tony Danza as a contemporary guy who is told to build an ark.

"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. Ray becomes fiercely competitive about selling cookies for his daughter's Scout troop.

"Rose Red," 8 p.m., ABC. As this miniseries opened, a professor (Nancy Travis) was determined to investigate a house that once had a mind of its own. She brought along people with psychic abilities, including a silent teenager (Kimberly Brown) who could bring the place alive. Tonight, we learn that she may have oversucceeded.

"Crossing Jordan," 9 p.m., NBC. A college death is listed as suicide, but Jordan has doubts.