Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Dickens," 8 p.m., PBS. Life's extremes swirled inside Charles Dickens. His idyllic childhood collapsed when he was 8 and his family moved to London. His dad was in debtors' prison, and Charles worked in a factory. He became a man who could bubble with humor or seethe with rage. Constantly in motion — walking 10, 20 and 30 miles at a time — Dickens wanted to do it all. Few men have written so passionately about the warmth of home and the tragedy of a breakup. Still, he began an obsession with a teen actress, banishing the wife who had given him 10 children. All of that shaped a brilliant writer who found steep popularity. This documentary, based on Peter AckroydÍs biography, also includes modern actors in brief portrayals. Anton Lesser portrays Dickens, giving fiery readings on tour. Helen McCrory — the star of PBS' "Anna Karenina" and "The Jury" — is terrific as Dickens' daughter, Kate.

Of Note

"Ed," 7 p.m., NBC. Ed is getting ready to meet Carol in New York; then he meets a former classmate, played by Madchen Amick of "Twin Peaks." Meanwhile, Mike and Nancy hope their home will be rebuilt by Christmas.

"Barbara Walters Special," 8 p.m., ABC. HereÍs Walters' annual special, picking the year's 10 most fascinating people. The list includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hillary Clinton and Nicole Kidman. Walters adds some choices of her own, including singer Beyoncé Knowles, lion-tamer Roy Horn and the five stars of "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy."

"Law & Order," 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. In the first rerun, a body in the trunk of an expensive car leads to a gambling probe. In the second, a bounty hunter has been killed while seeking someone also sought by a journalist.

"King of Queens," 8 p.m., CBS. Carrie gets a temporary job with her husbandÍs company — much to his displeasure.

"PrimeTime," 9 p.m., ABC. Tentatively scheduled is a Diane Sawyer interview with Oprah Winfrey, the queen of talk shows herself.