Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The Fear Inside" (1992), 9 p.m., Lifetime. On the surface this sounds like your run-of-the-mill thriller: A wealthy woman is crippled by agoraphobia, the fear of the outside world. Confined to her gorgeous home, she advertises for a boarder. Two young people — attractive and dangerous — arrive. All of that is far better than it sounds. It has a smart script and superb stars (Christine Lahti, Dylan McDermott and Jennifer Rubin). It also has the immense talent of director Leon Ichaso. "The Fear Inside" delivers both visceral thrills and well-rounded characters. Originally made for Showtime, it's a terrific film.

Of Note

"Smallville," 7 p.m., KFVE. A lightning strike transfers Clark's superpowers to a classmate. Lucky guy? You decide.

"Spy TV," 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC. Here are two more rounds of this "Candid Camera"-style show. In the first, guys are accused of being thieves after trying to help a woman get into her car. In the second, a woman sees a portable toilet being hauled away — with her son in it.

"Big Daddy" (1999), 8 p.m., USA Network. Adam Sandler plays a no-account guy who tries to impress his girlfriend by adopting a son. "The Waterboy" follows at 10 p.m.

"Houston Medical," 9 p.m., ABC. This starts a six-week documentary series looking at life in a top hospital (Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital) in Texas.

":03 from Gold," 7 p.m., HBO. Just when the Americans thought they'd won the 1972 Olympic gold medal in basketball, officials said there were three seconds left. The Russian team promptly won, igniting a controversy. This elaborate documentary views the game and its political backdrop.