Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. For two strange weeks, NBC didn't even bother to air "Frasier." Sure, the show has slipped a tad in recent years. That still puts it worlds above most comedies. Tonight, Elvis Costello plays a remarkably untalented street musician. When he starts performing at the coffeehouse, his lyrics and volume annoy Frasier and Niles. Meanwhile, Felicity Huffman ("Sports Night") plays a woman whose secret affair is accidentally discovered by Frasier. Alex Borstein ("Mad TV") also guests. She plays someone assigned to evaluate Daphne's physical-therapy techniques.
Of Note
"Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony" (2002), 4 p.m., Cinemax. This film traces the role of music in the long fight for freedom in South Africa. At the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, it won the Freedom of Expression Award and the Documentary Audience Award.
"Just Shoot Me," 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC. Like "Frasier" this comedy has been missing lately. In one new episode tonight, Morgan Fairchild plays the former centerfold Finch (David Spade) lusted after 20 years ago. In the next, Brian Dennehy returns as Finch's dad who is now Jack's driver.
"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. This launches a two-parter that doubles as a pilot film for next season. It focuses on a criminal investigating team within the Navy that's led by Mark Harmon. Tonight, Harm (David James Elliott) is suspected of murder.
"Nova: The Secret of Photo 51," 8 p.m., PBS. It was 50 years ago Friday (April 25) that a breakthrough was announced in research into the nature of DNA. That led to a Nobel Prize. This hour, however, says the winners took key, uncredited information from researcher Rosalind Franklin, who died of ovarian cancer at 39 without knowing that competing scientists used her material.
"24," 8 p.m., Fox. As planes rush toward bombing attacks, Jack hustles to protect the computer chip that will prove a hoax is involved. Unfortunately, the chip reaches people who don't know what it is.
"Watching Ellie," 8:30 p.m., NBC. Ellie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) thinks she's been given an expensive TV set as a reward for her work in a commercial.
"Lucky," 10 p.m., Fx. This bittersweet episode develops the tenuous relationship between Lucky and another addicted gambler who's well played by Ever Carradine.
