Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Last week's episode had wit, fun and a startling detour: Niles (David Hyde Pierce) had a heart problem and needed to be hospitalized. Now comes the second half with bypass surgery, flashbacks, pseudo-cheery visitors and more.

"Benjamin Franklin," 9 p.m., PBS; concludes tomorrow. In Ben Franklin's hometown Philadelphia, people felt everything was God's will. If lightning hit a house, it was allowed to burn down; only the neighbors were saved. It also was a world of rigid structure. Franklin got two years of education, then was thrown into an apprenticeship until he was 21. He ran away from home, then returned to remake his life. He invented the lightning rod, helping man control the natural elements; he led the creation of libraries, volunteer fire departments and more. Franklin was an egotist who left his wife alone for years at a time. A story told well by historians and by actor Richard Easton as Ben.

Of Note

"Nova: The Sinking City of Venice," 8 p.m., PBS. It's charming to have a little water in Venice, but now there is way too much of it. Precious buildings are endangered.