Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The O.C." debut, 8 p.m., Fox. Here's a worthy attempt to break most network patterns: Fox will run four episodes this month, rest the show during baseball playoffs and the World Series, then move it to Thursdays. That gives extra attention to a show that's a mixed blessing. "The O.C." (short for Orange County, Calif.) has gorgeous settings, strong actors and a gifted director. It also has a standard, so-so story. Doug Liman — who did the movies "The Bourne Identity" and "Swingers" — directed the first two episodes, providing a strong look. Peter Gallagher plays an idealistic lawyer living in hilltop splendor with his rich wife (Kelly Rowan) and their teen son. When a teen defendant (Benjamin McKenzie) is homeless, he takes him in. Culture clashes follow as the penniless kid meets his beautiful neighbor and her rich friends. Much of that is done in broad strokes with most of the rich kids becoming broad clichés. Maybe the depth will come later. For now, at least, "The O.C." looks gorgeous.

Of Note

"The Usual Suspects" (1995), 6 p.m., The National Network. This small, clever movie won Academy Awards for Kevin Spacey's supporting performance and for the script, which begins with five mismatched crooks in a police lineup.

"MI-5," 7 p.m., A&E. Last week's sensational hour ended with Tom grasping for pieces of normal life after watching in horror as a colleague was killed. Tonight, terrorists take over the Turkish embassy in London.

"Last Comic Standing," 7 p.m., NBC. Last week, the five finalists each had a five-minute chance to impress viewers. By now the viewers' votes have been counted.

"8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," 7 p.m., ABC. In this rerun, Paul (John Ritter) is considered a cool parent by his daughters' friends.

"P.O.V.: American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawaii," 8 p.m., PBS. There are more Hawaiians on the mainland, this documentary says, than in the Islands. Some recapture their roots by studying hula.