Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Pet Star" premiere, 6 & 10 p.m., Animal Planet. This may be the oddest talent contest of them all. Animal Planet general manager Michael Cascio calls it " 'American Idol' meets 'Stupid Pet Tricks.' "

Simon Cowell, the cynical "Idol" judge, says (in jest, perhaps) that this is better than the other copycat ideas: "I think 'Pet Idol' is different ... because I think there are a lot of talented dogs."

One dog is able to steal money from a purse (always a useful skill); another takes direction better than most humans do. There are other pets, including a roller-skating bird.

There's great potential here, but the show desperately needs humorous people. Instead, it has Mario Lopez hosting and Gena Lee Nolin and Lindsay Wagner judging. The third judge, Peter Scolari, supplies the only humor.

Of Note

"America's Funniest Home Videos," 7 p.m., ABC. Here's more reality from one of the originals. Tonight, a $100,000 prize is handed out.

"Book of Days," 7 p.m., Pax TV. Here's a new mystery movie starring Wil Wheaton of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." When his bride dies, he finds a book that predicts death.

"Fastlane," 7 p.m., Fox. This starts a two-parter with Jay Mohr as an inspector who wants to stop the practice of letting undercover agents use seized vehicles.

"John Doe," 8 p.m., Fox. Doe tries to help with a complex kidnapping case.

"Hack," 8 p.m., CBS. Caught for pocketing drug money, Mike (David Morse) was thrown off the police force. He kept mum about his partner, Marcellus (Andre Braugher) taking money as well. Tonight, investigators close in on Marcellus.

"Queens Supreme," 9 p.m., CBS. Here's an episode, originally scheduled for last week, that involves a mother's negligence in her daughter's death. Another case involves a woman who sued her doctor after five breast-enhancement surgeries.