Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"A Capitol Fourth," 8 p.m., PBS. Each year, this live concert in Washington, D.C., offers powerful music, strong emotions and closing fireworks. This year has had some detours. Dropping out were Charlie Daniels (after producers said his song, "The Last Fallen Hero," didn't fit the show's upbeat mood) and Chuck Berry (apparently over a contract dispute). Added was teen singer Aaron Carter. Still, there will be powerhouse talent, led by soul star Aretha Franklin, country's Lee Ann Womack and opera's Russell Watson. Barry Bostwick hosts and leads a musical tribute to the flag, complete with dancers.

Of Note

"Pop Goes the Fourth," 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., A&E. Here's some more Fourth fun, from Boston. Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. He adds Barry Manilow and Maureen McGovern, plus Linda Eder, the hardy Minnesotan who has one of Broadway's great new voices.

"Peter Jennings Reports," 7 p.m., ABC. In one broad swath, this documentary tries to catch much of American music. It includes Keith Lockhart (who has his own special tonight) and a Broadway tribute to Richard Rodgers (whose songs are also in the PBS concert). Others include Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Lonnie Brooks and Kirk Franklin.

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. Here's a rerun of an episode that already had lots of rerun moments. In a magazine interview, Joey describes life with his friends.

"Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?" 7 and 8 p.m., Fox. Here are two new episodes, with an intriguing premise. Jonathan Frakes narrates several stories, most of them believed to be true. At the end, he tells which story was entirely fiction.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), 5:30 a.m., 9:50 a.m. and 2 p.m., AMC. On a much higher plane, here's a great movie. Steven Spielberg brilliantly directed, with Harrison Ford as a heroic archeologist.