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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, December 27, 2003

Tube Notes

Mike Hughes,
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Boomtown," 7 p.m., NBC. Last season, "Boomtown" boomed to the top of many lists. This cop show offered taut characters and a wonderfully eccentric, stop-and-go style of storytelling. Critics raved, the American Film Institute called it one of the year's top 10 best shows. NBC, alas, pushed it into to a rough Friday slot this fall, then canceled it. Now the show returns with three episodes today and another at 9 p.m. Sunday. Viewers can see what people have been raving about. Today's first two episodes center on Teresa Ortiz (Lana Parrilla), the paramedic who has decided to become a cop. In the opener, she tries to solve a murder at the police academy. In the second, she's held hostage, while Pierce (Vanessa Williams) tries to save her. The third hour has a skeleton found in an old house. That leads to the possibility of a 20-year-old fraternity killing.

Of Note

"The Sound of Music" (1965), 7 p.m., ABC. The "Wonderful World of Disney" spot offers room for a long-ago classic. "Music" has gorgeous Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes, lovely mountain settings, Julie Andrews' luminous performance — and a so-so story, taken from real life.

"Wild Wild West" (1999), 7 p.m., CBS. Everything about this movie sounded fine: A buoyant star (Will Smith) and a skillful director (Barry Sonnenfeld) combined to adapt an old TV series. Alas, it all soon went wrong. The show has lots of gimmicks and visual gags, but little real wit.

"Mary Magdalene" (2001), 8 p.m., Pax TV. Maria Grazia Cucinotta stars in this portrait of one of the most controversial women among Jesus' following.

"The District," 9 p.m., CBS. Mannion roars back to Washington, D.C., trying to get his police-chief job back. Meanwhile, he also tries to clear Temple of a murder charge and to save a building.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. In a rerun, Jack Black hosts and John Mayer is the musical guest.