Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"This Far by Faith: African-American Spiritual Journeys," 9 p.m., PBS; continues through Thursday. Thrown into a hopeless situation, American slaves turned to religion. In Africa, they had many faiths, including Islam. In America, slave masters often required them to go to Christian churches. Blended faiths emerged with an African-American feel. This three-day, six-hour film traces centuries of religion. Tonight, some of its filming is from St. Helen Island, where life and religion have changed only mildly in recent centuries. It also traces three powerful figures. Denmark Vesey chose confrontation. From the pulpit he planned a slave revolt, which failed. Sojourner Truth chose emotion. She walked the country telling of her life before and after slavery. Henry McNeal Turner chose politics. A minister-turned-journalist, he pushed to build a society after emancipation. Blacks started their own schools, colleges, banks, hospitals and newspapers thanks to his efforts.

Of Note

"JAG," 7 p.m., CBS. This reruns the hour that used the regular actors for roles in a World War II story. Catherine Bell plays a Navy nurse caring for a Marine (David James Elliott).

"Keen Eddie," 8 p.m., Fox. Early in the story Eddie is perplexed. Witnesses place a luxury car borrowed by a soccer superstar at a crime scene. Is something being covered up? Things eventually make sense in a well-made hour.

"Last Comic Standing," 8 p.m., NBC. Last week, the show picked 10 clever comedians — well, eight clever ones and two duds — as finalists. Now they'll share a Hollywood Hills home while continuing to compete. So far, the results have been terrific.

"Lucky," 10 p.m., FX. There are only two more episodes in the first season of this excellent show. Tonight, we see two addictions — Danny with drugs and Theresa with gambling. Lucky (John Corbett), who is Theresa's lover and Danny's pal, tries to help both. There are some so-so moments but the final scenes are terrific.