Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Baby Bob" return, 7 p.m., CBS. When this series arrived more than a year ago, critics flinched. There was the talented Adam Arkin, in a so-so comedy about a talking baby. Ratings were good, however, so CBS ordered more episodes — then conveniently ignored them. Now "Bob" arrives as a summer series. Tonight, Bob causes trouble when he takes his grandfather's place in a radio interview.
"Mansfield Park" (1999), 5 & 9 p.m., A&E. Here's the exact opposite of a talking-baby show. It's an elegantly filmed, superbly acted adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Frances O'Connor is wonderful as the heroine, working for a rich family and developing on her own. Director Patricia Rozema has made a relatively short and uncomplicated film, with few high points. Still, it's visually strong, with characters worth rooting for. The supporting cast includes Embeth Davidtz, Jonny Lee Miller and even writer Harold Pinter.
Of Note
"DOLORES CLAIBORNE" (1995), 6:45 p.m., FLIX. A terrific performance from Kathy Bates highlights this adaptation of a Stephen King novel. The dramatic thriller centers on a long-suffering Maine woman fingered for a murder. When her estranged daughter returns to town, family troubles once again boil to the surface.
"Fastlane," 7 & 8 p.m., Fox. The first rerun is this show's high-octane pilot film, superbly filmed by the movie director ("Charlie's Angels") simply known as McG. Peter Facinelli and Bill Bellamy play cops, learning that they can have lots of toys if they work undercover. Then comes an unusual episode in which their boss (Tiffani Thiessen) goes undercover to nab a nasty ring that specializes in robbing rich lesbians.
"RUN LOLA RUN" (1998), 8 p.m., Bravo. This deliriously quick-paced action thriller is one of the most inventive ever to combine quick-cut music video-style editing and wickedly clever storytelling. The viewer gets a wild look at three possible scenarios available to a young woman (Franka Potente) finding a way to pay off drug money owed by her boyfriend. She has 20 minutes to do it, or he will be killed.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Michael Learned and Mariette Hartley guest star in this rerun. When a young woman apparently commits suicide, police probe the prominent family of the guy she was dating.
