Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Independent Lens: Man Bites Shorts," 10 p.m., PBS. In the independent-movie world, some of the greatest moments come from short-subject films. This package, erratic but excellent, offers six examples that look at bicycles, balloons and basketball. The longest short is David Munro's 24-minute "Compulsory Breathing." A young man's plan to commit suicide is interrupted by a strange young woman. The result is alternately melancholy, hopeful, bittersweet and moving. The seven-minute "Bike Ride" (bittersweet, again) offers whimsical animation. There are poetic touches to the three-minute "Dilly Dally," and the 10-minute basketball feature "Don't Nobody Love the Game More Than Me."
"Homeless to Harvard" (2003), 6 p.m., Lifetime. Tentatively scheduled is a rerun of this stunning film, one of the best TV movies in years. Thora Birch is perfect as the real-life Liz Murray, a homeless New York teen who reached Harvard.
Of Note
"The Simple Life," 7 p.m., Fox. Here are four quick reruns that should bring us up to date. We can relive the early moments of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's hilarious romp on a farm in a small Arkansas town.
"I'm With Her," 7:30 p.m., ABC. In the rerun of a fairly good episode, things flip-flop. Usually, Patrick feels inferior in the glittery world of new girlfriend Alex. This time, she feels inferior alongside his brainy ex-girlfriend.
"Whoopi," 7:30 p.m., NBC. After Mavis (Whoopi Goldberg) accidentally shoplifts something in this rerun, a TV program wants to do a fallen-rock-star story about her. Keith Richards and Phil Collins guest star.
"Nova," 8 p.m., PBS. This rerun looks at Ernest Shackleton, whose audacity led to his men being stranded in Antarctica — and to their getting home.
"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's the rerun of, by "Frasier" standards, a so-so episode. Patrick Stewart plays a prominent conductor whose interest in Frasier may involve the assumption that Frasier is gay.
"Line of Fire," 9 p.m., ABC. This excellent series focuses tonight on the troubled love life of FBI boss Lisa Cohen (Leslie Hope). She meets a dangerous lover.
