Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Boston Public," 7 and 8 p.m., Fox. This solid drama about high school life has been missing lately. Fox gave its Monday slot to reality shows. Now "Boston Public" will have a tough Friday slot this fall. It settles in early to get us in the habit. Both of tonight's reruns focus on Scott Guber, beautifully played by Anthony Heald. In the first one, he battles a tough new superintendent (Elizabeth Pena). In the second, he's stunned by a teen pregnancy.

Of Note

"The Wedding Planner" (2001), 5 & 7 p.m., TNT. Jennifer Lopez plays someone who plans other people's weddings but never has time to find someone for herself. Then she begins planning the wedding of a young doctor (Matthew McConaughey) and the plot twists begin.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), 6 p.m., Starz. If you missed this stunning epic in theaters catch it now. This isn't the usual, studio-driven commerce. Director Peter Jackson spent years pushing for it to be made then filmed it brilliantly in his native New Zealand. He emerged with a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's work that is visually and emotionally wonderful.

"Dead Like Me," 7 p.m., Showtime. In the third week of this well-made series there's less humor and more drama. Ellen Muth stars as a young woman who died at 19 and now must collect souls. Tonight, she's obsessed with visiting her former home.

"Monk," 10 p.m., USA Network. While solving murders, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) keeps getting into odd situations. Tonight, he umpires a Little League game and interviews a nude guy in an art class.