Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"A Perfect Murder" (1998), 5 p.m., TNT; repeats at 7 p.m. There was no great reason to remake Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder." Still, talented people remade this one. That started with director Andrew Davis, best known for "The Fugitive." He turned this into one of the best-looking murder mysteries ever. He also cast, perfectly, Michael Douglas as a wealthy, arrogant man. Two actors who were then obscure held the other key roles. Gwyneth Paltrow (before "Shakespeare in Love") played his young wife. Viggo Mortensen (before "Lord of the Rings") was her secret lover. Paltrow brings depth and humanity to an unsympathetic role. Then the plot twists begin.

"Providence," 7 p.m., NBC. Last week's season opener was a truly bizarre makeover. Most of the problems were brushed aside. Joanie got a radio job. Owen proposed and Syd said yes. Now that light approach continues. Joanie develops a phone relationship with a listener; Robbie buys a fixer-upper house.

OF NOTE

"Oh, God!" (1977), 7-9 p.m., Pax TV. Here's a fresh chance to see this gentle little delight, with God arriving in the form of George Burns to chat with John Denver.

"That Was Then," 8 p.m., ABC. Travis keeps toying with the time-travel thing. Now he sees a classmate on a real-life crime show and races back in time to try to change the guy's life.

"Hack," 8 p.m., CBS. Mike, the disgraced ex-cop, just wants to quietly drive a cab. Instead, he keeps bumping into new responsibilities.

"Robbery Homicide Division," 9 p.m., CBS. The murder of a call girl may be part of a series of rapes.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Former movie star Jane Powell guest stars as an elderly woman who was abused and was found wandering aimlessly. Now the cops have to find who did it.