Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

• "American Embassy" premiere, 8 p.m., FOX. In one dazzling hour, newcomer Arija Bareikis becomes a star. She is Renee Zellweger and Calista Flockhart rolled into one. Women will like her, men will love her, and viewers will root for her.

In "American Embassy" — which will borrow the "Ally McBeal" slot for six weeks — she plays Emma Brody, a bright young woman who needs a fresh start. She surprises her mother (and herself) by landing an embassy job in London.

This first hour seems way too contrived, but keep watching. A defining moment comes when a wealthy young Englishman watches Emma play touch football. There is something — a goofy, carefree, class-free American spirit — he can't resist. Neither can we.

Of note

• "Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. This show expands to 90 minutes — apparently so it can repeat constantly a scene of soap star Alison Sweeney screaming in genuine agony. Also starring are Alan Thicke, Stephen Baldwin, Ali Landry, Kelly Packard and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys.

• "Her Best Friend's Husband," 9 p.m., Lifetime. Cheryl Ladd stars as a woman who tries to help a friend's marriage then leans toward an affair.

• "The Colin Quinn Show" premiere, 8:30 p.m., NBC. Quinn rejoins "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels for a live show with a monologue and sketches.

• "Saturday Night Live Remembers John Belushi," 9 p.m., NBC. Here are clips from some of the great Belushi sketches.

• "The Amazing Race 2" premiere, 9 p.m., CBS. The first edition was beautifully crafted, but badly timed. Its second episode was pre-empted by coverage of the terrorist attacks. Viewers never returned. Now a new edition begins with 11 duos racing around the world to win $1 million.