Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"American Masters: Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval," 9 p.m., PBS. Rod Serling carried the rich contrasts of a great fictional character. He was a little guy (5 feet 5 and slim) with a big persona. He became a World War II paratrooper, despite not reaching the height minimum. He grew up a butcher's son in Binghamton, N.Y., spent eight years in Ohio, attended Antioch College and worked in Cincinnati in radio and TV. Still, he savored Hollywood glamour. He wrote with urgency and honesty, winning three Emmys for dramas in TV's golden age. Still, many people thought of him only for "The Twilight Zone." He wrote often of the trappings of success, yet fell into it. Serling worked, smoked and raged incessantly. He died of a heart attack at 50. "As long as they talk about you, you're not really dead," a Serling character once said. This documentary, stylishly directed by Susan Lacy in black-and-white, speaks eloquently of Serling. We end up mourning TV's gritty past, yet celebrating the golden quality of "American Masters."
Of Note
"Soul Food" marathon, 6 p.m., Showtime. While network TV avoids everyday dramas centering on black characters, this series has been an impressive exception. Prior to the start of the fifth season, here are five episodes from the fourth season.
"Life of Luxury," 7 p.m., ABC. Far from TV's golden age, we now get an empty-headed look at golden lives. We learn that Nikki and Paris Hilton, with $300 million apiece, are no match for Athina Roussel, a teen (granddaughter of the late Aristotle Onassis) worth $5 billion. We see caviar that's $100 a teaspoon, jets that cost $12,000 an hour, an island spa that's $36,000 a day. Robin Leach raves a lot.
"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. This terrific rerun has Robert and Amy throwing a dinner party. When Robert — married three months — lectures on marriage, the reactions are dark and (at times) hilarious.
"DreamKeeper" conclusion, 8 p.m., ABC. This miniseries started slowly but ends well, so catch it at the halfway mark. A teen is taking his storytelling grandfather from the Pine Ridge reservation to a gathering in New Mexico. Some gang members, whose vehicle later plunges into water, are pursuing them. Coming is a rich mix of traditional tales and modern drama.
