Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"American Masters: Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind," 9 p.m., PBS. The 1960s music scene had hardy words and pounding rhythms. Then 25-year-old Joni Mitchell had her debut album in 1968. It was much later that people understood her fragile nature. Growing up as an only child in Saskatoon, Canada, Mitchell faced polio at 9. A decade later, she lost her virginity and became pregnant on the same day. She never told her parents. Her daughter went to a foster home. That part of Mitchell's life remained in limbo for decades until she contacted her daughter. At 59, Mitchell is simultaneously learning to be a mother and grandmother. This has been a fascinating life. "American Masters" spends too much time on repetitious bursts of praise, but gives us lots of music, plus human detail.

Of Note

"Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion" (1997), 6 p.m., ABC Family. Two amiable young women (Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino) realize their lives are going nowhere. Now they have to transform quickly before their 10-year high school reunion. This has some pleasant moments.

"Dawson's Creek," 7 p.m., WB. Needing money, Joey gets a spring-break job as Pacey's assistant.

"Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story" (1995), 7 p.m., Lifetime. One of the best of TV's true-crime movies. Neil Patrick Harris plays a young man who has doubts about his mom (Bonnie Bedelia).

"The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. The president's plane must stay in the air because there are indications the landing gear won't work. Tensions mount as people wonder if there was sabotage.

"The Bernie Mac Show," 8 p.m., Fox. Theresa Saldana ("The Commish") guest stars as Bernie's new maid who seems helpful — at first.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. When a cab driver is slain, the police learn that his final customer was a gifted writer with a violent streak and a criminal past.