Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"P.O.V.: Two Towns of Jasper," 9 p.m., PBS. Even in a place that has seen lynchings, brutality and racial hatred, the 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr. drew fierce emotions in Jasper, Texas. Three white men, authorities said, chained Byrd, who was black, to the back of a truck. Then they dragged him to his death. Most whites were appalled. Some, however, attacked Byrd's character. Some insisted that the defendants were not the monsters they behaved like that night. This film views both sides in depth, with a black film crew talking to blacks and a white crew talking to whites. The result avoids cliches, finding the humanity on both sides. Paired with a town hall meeting that PBS will air Thursday from Jasper, it gives us a portrait of humans at their best and worst.

Of Note

"My Wife and Kids," 7 p.m., ABC. Michael finds mixed results when he tries to spend more time with the kids.

"American Idol," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Here is the second special, looking at auditions in seven cities.

"The Bachelorette," 7:30 p.m., ABC. It is another night of reality warfare. Unwilling to let "Idol" get a head start, tonight's "Bachelorette" starts one half hour earlier than usual and expands to 90 minutes. As a gimmick, two women arrive to give advice on which guy should be chosen for a date.

"Presidio Med," 9 p.m., CBS. A story that is well acted, solidly done and (at times) deeply depressing. The focus is on Dr. Brennan (Dana Delany), whose romance with a colleague has left her marriage crumbling. Now she works with a high-spirited young cancer patient (Hallie Eisenberg).

"Chappelle's Show" premiere, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central. Dave Chappelle launches a 12-week run of this show, which is filled with sketches.