Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"A.U.S.A." debut, 8:30 p.m., NBC. It's been tough to launch a comedy lately, but this show could be the exception. It has a popular star (Scott Foley of "Felicity"), a cozy time slot and an opener that's flat-out funny. Foley plays a new assistant U.S. attorney. Filled with idealism, he has a disastrous first day in court. Virtually every character is a TV cliche. There's the dim assistant, the goofy pal, the stern boss, the elusive blonde beauty. Still, "A.U.S.A." moves these cliches adroitly. The result has some hilarious moments.
Of Note
"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Last week, the judges picked 32 semi-finalists. Tonight, eight perform and viewers choose two finalists, who will be announced tomorrow. That pattern continues for three more weeks then the list of the final 10 will be filled out by two wild card choices the judges select March 4-5.
"Gilmore Girls," 7 p.m., WB. In a flashback, we see when Lorelai, an unwed teen, gave birth to Rory.
"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. In another flashback, David James Elliott and Catherine Bell play a Marine and a Navy nurse during World War II.
"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. Nick Carter, of Backstreet Boys fame, plays the older guy that Bridget wants to date.
"Nova: Battle of the X-Planes," 8 p.m., PBS. Now for a step into the military future: The Pentagon challenged Boeing and Lockheed to create a plane that would combine the best traits of a jet fighter and a helicopter. Then it let "Nova" film the competition. The resulting film will fascinate anyone who loves planes or technology.
"The Shield," 8 p.m., FX. While Shane, Vic and David try to stop a dealer from giving heroin to schoolchildren, Claudette and Dutch try to find a missing Alzheimer's patient.
"Life With Bonnie," 8 p.m., ABC. The first half of this show has some great moments as Bonnie Hunt struggles with a flu-stricken family and a chaotic workplace. Then the second half has Robin Williams playing a psychic who guests on her talk show. It's a long, improvised segment that's funny — but not as funny as the first half.
"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Frasier's ex-wife, Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) is back with a mission: She wants to have another child with him.
"24," 8 p.m., Fox. The previous episode ended with a double shock: The real schemer isn't Marie Warner's Middle Eastern fiance. It's Marie and she's just killed him. In addition, the president's estranged wife has had secret dealings. Tonight, Kate Warner (Marie's sister) is the only witness who can help find the dangerous Syed Ali.
"Hell Up in Hollywood," 8 & 10:55 p.m., AMC. Denzel Washington, Melvin Van Peebles and others reflect on "Blaxploitation" films' impact on Hollywood in this documentary that's just in time for Black History Month.
"Kingpin," 9 p.m., NBC. Sunday's opener ended with Miguel (Yancy Arias) ordering his uncle killed. Now he calmly goes to the funeral. Like the opener, this episode is flawed, but has powerful moments.
