Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

• "Founding Brothers," 6 p.m., History Channel; concludes tomorrow. As the U.S. government began, George Washington was calmly in charge. Below him, however, political tempests churned. Thomas Jefferson, brilliant but distant, wanted a federal government that stayed out of the way. Alexander Hamilton, his friend-turned-enemy, wanted the opposite. He felt the Feds should start a bank, assume states' debts and raise a standing army. Hamilton usually won. Along the way, compromises were messy.

Of Note

• "The Price for Peace," 7 p.m., NBC. Steven Spielberg and Stephen Ambrose, who combined for HBO's terrific "Band of Brothers," lead this documentary. Soldiers do much of the talking, in a look at World War II's battles in the Pacific.

• "Ally McBeal," 8 p.m., Fox. The show starts rerunning the episodes linking Ally with a handsome handyman (Jon Bon Jovi).

• "Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars," 6 and 9 p.m., USA Network. Bon Jovi is everywhere tonight — acting on "Ally" and singing with Nelson. Other performers are Sheryl Crow, Keith Richards, Dave Matthews, Toby Keith and the Dixie Chicks.

• "Extreme Rides 2002," 9 p.m., Discovery Channel. We get lots of scary views from amusement park rides with ride designers saying almost anything is possible.

• "Family Law," 9 p.m., CBS. This erratic show, which won't be back next season, has its final new episode. Lynn (Kathleen Quinlan) faces aftershocks from her pseudo-marriage to Rex.

• "Military Diaries," 4 p.m., VH1. This starts a series in which soldiers talk about their love of music. "It's like a magic time capsule, man," one Marine says. A Navy female adds: "If we didn't have music here, we would be very depressed sailors."