Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"American Experience: Chicago: City of the Century," 9 p.m., PBS; concludes tomorrow. After the legendary 1871 Chicago fire, many people — including England's Queen Victoria — donated books. They assumed that the city's libraries had burned down. In truth, Chicago had no library. It was in such a hurry to build its industrial brawn that it had little time for the mind and the soul. This film, the midsection of a superb, three-night documentary, traces the development of the city and its moguls. That includes the men who moved the meat business from small butcher shops to giant factories.

Of Note

"Waiting to Exhale" (1995), 6 & 9:30 p.m., Bravo. Three great talents combined to make this wonderful blend of comedy, drama and venom. Terry McMillan wrote the saucy book and co-wrote the screenplay about four women looking for love. The film stars Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine.

"Frasier," 8 p.m., NBC. Felicity Huffman ("Sports Night") guest stars as the station's new finance reporter who suddenly shares Frasier's desk and his show. Battles — and a sexual harassment charge — are coming.

"Operation Desert Storm," 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11 p.m. & midnight, History Channel. This launches a three-week series, which takes a look at the technology behind the Persian Gulf War.

"The Shield," 8 p.m., FX. Last week's tough and nasty season-opener put Detective Vic Mackey under pressure. He needed $50,000 for private eyes to find his wife and kids. But his only source for the extra money — a drug-dealing operation he runs with other cops — had been cheated by an emerging dealer in Mexico. So Mackey crossed the border and grabbed the guy and the money. Tonight, two of his colleagues get closer to discovering his dirty dealings.