Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"State of Grace" season opener, 6 p.m., ABC Family. Imagine "Wonder Years" mixed with "Brooklyn Bridge." Imagine a kids'-eye story that includes adult wit and perspective while blending comedy and drama. Now you have "State of Grace," one of last season's best surprises. It starts its second season tonight with a 26-episode commitment. The show focuses on two mismatched friends in the 1960s. Hannah (Alia Shawkat) lives in a three-generation Jewish home filled with Old World accents and attitudes. Grace (Mae Whitman) is the daughter of a former Southern belle who is rich and flighty. Tonight, Grace's mom (Faye Grant) is preparing to marry yet again. Meanwhile, the other home is all aflutter about the arrival of the first color TV set. Which show do you choose when the only program in color ("Hullabaloo") is one you've never heard of? Such dilemmas marked another era, long before the 500-channel universe.
Of Note
"NAACP Image Awards," 7 p.m., FOX. Each year this show is highlighted by powerhouse music. That should be the same now with Alicia Keys and India.Arie. Chris Tucker, fresh from the hot "Rush Hour" movies, hosts. The eccentric Little Richard gets a lifetime achievement award.
"First Monday," 7 p.m., CBS. Nudging an hour earlier than usual, this series asks a tough question from real life: Should the operators of a Web site be considered responsible if it leads to the murder of an abortion doctor?
"Miss USA Pageant," 8 p.m., CBS. Apparently it isn't enough for Deion Sanders to have been a football and baseball star. Now he also hosts this beauty pageant.
"The Best Commercials You've Never Seen (And Some You Have)," 8 p.m., ABC. Here are some funny commercials hosted by Scott Brooks of the "whassup" spots.
"Reba," 9 p.m., WB. In a rerun, Reba and her friend (Park Overall) are ready for a garage sale, selling all the remaining things from Brock, Reba's ex-husband.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Things get personal tonight when Stabler (Chris Meloni) learns about a teenager who may have been assaulted and raped. That leads to concerns about sex and drugs at his daughter's high school.
