Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"As If" and "The Random Years," 9 and 9:30 p.m., UPN. Let's give UPN credit for breaking out of its usual patterns. These two youth comedies work hard, with some success. "As If" is based on a British show. It even imports Briton (Emily Corrie) to repeat her role as a wild-haired rebel. We haven't seen the final version, but a sampling indicates a frenetic camera style. "The Random Years" is more traditional, but kind of fun. Will Friedle, Joshua Ackerman and Sean Murray play longtime friends, now in their 20s and rooming together in New York. Natalia Cigliuti is the bright and beautiful newcomer. Nothing in "The Random Years" is terribly original, but some of it is quite funny.

"Who is Alan Smithee?" 5 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., AMC. Some of the most disappointing films shown in theaters wore the tag "directed by Alan Smithee." That was a pseudonym, used (until recently) by directors who were disowning the final film. This fun documentary skims briefly over the Smithee history, then settles on one epic battle. Tony Kaye was so bitter about "American History X" that he tried to have it listed as directed by either Alan Smithee or Humpty Dumpty. His requests were squashed — and many critics praised the film.

Of Note

"Frasier," 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., NBC. First is a rerun, with Frasier throwing a party for co-workers. Then, in a new episode, he dates three women, played by Allison Janney ("West Wing"), Bellamy Young and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, wife of tennis star Pete Sampras.

"Celebrating America's Musical Heritage: A Salute to Gospel Music," 7 p.m., Pax TV. Great singers perform at the White House including Shirley Caesar, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Gaither Vocal Band.

"Scrubs," 8:30 p.m., NBC. Kelli Williams guests as a nervous medical student who somehow charms Dr. Cox.