Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Boomtown," 9 p.m., NBC. Last year's best new TV series returns after a long break. "Boomtown" won a prestigious Peabody Award and was named by the American Film Institute as one of the 10 best things (series or movies) on television. A critics' poll put it second only to "The Wire." Still, it had only 18 episodes (instead of 22) the first season and has rested on the shelf for months. Now it's back in the spot where it will continue this fall (with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" moving from this spot to Tuesdays). During a hostage situation on tonight's episode, police patrol veteran Ray Hechler (Gary Basaraba) pretends to be a paramedic. A civilian (Joe Penny) must help.

Of Note

"The Bernie Mac Story," 7 p.m., Fox. Wesley Snipes guests in this rerun as the boss of Bernie's wife. At a dinner party it's clear that Bernie spends too much time with the kids.

"Wanda at Large," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Wanda Sykes' new show returns for some summer reruns. Here's the pilot, with mouthy Wanda suddenly getting a job on a sophisticated talk show. It's erratic, but brings some laughs.

"Jerry Maguire" (1996), 8 p.m., TNT. Cameron Crowe wrote and directed a terrific comedy-drama about a sports agent who develops a conscience. Tom Cruise is perfect in the lead but this film is also stuffed with wondrous work in support. Especially good are Renee Zellweger and Jonathan Lipnicki as a good-hearted mom and son, plus Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Oscar-winning work as a football star.

"Monk," 10 p.m., USA Network. Monk's prime suspect in mail bombings was in a coma when the crimes were committed.