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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 26, 2003

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'," 9 p.m., USA Network. Nelson, who turned 70 in April, is a marvel. At times, his leathery face shows all of those years. "You don't look 70," Toby Keith deadpans. "But we remember when you did." Musically, however, he remains the master of duet singing. Some of tonight's songs are muted and mild, but others soar.

Eric Clapton backs Nelson on "Nightlife." Shania Twain, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and others also perform.


Of Note

"Cybermutt," 2, 4 & 6 p.m., Animal Planet. A golden retriever is hit by a car while saving a careless pedestrian. The pedestrian (Judd Nelson) is a scientist who can rebuild the dog via biotechnology. And that, of course, attracts evil dognappers.

"Switched" premiere, 4:30 p.m., ABC Family. This reality show avoids being shrill. The opener simply has two girls trade places for four days. Samantha Kozub of Doylestown, Pa., and Amy Minderhout of Portland, Ore., are 17, living in upper-middle-class comfort. Still, there are differences: Samantha has deep friendships and a boy-friend. Amy is extremely attractive and outgoing, but has few close relationships.

"The Brendan Leonard Show" premiere, 5:30 p.m., ABC Family. From his home in Illinois suburbia, Leonard and friends have had a Êcable-access show for three years. Now, at 19, they go national. The opener retains a ragged feel, with low-key humor. Some of it is quite clever. Most of it is fun.

"Russia: Land of the Tsars," 6 & 10 p.m., History Channel; concludes Tuesday. Russia has had centuries of war. This two-part show, using lush photography and re-enactments, races through much of that. Tonight's first half covers the years 862 to the death of Peter the Great in 1725.

"The Horse Whisperer" (1998), 7 p.m., ABC. Robert Redford directed and starred in this serene story of a Montana guy working with a horse and rider after a tragic accident.

"That '70s Show," 8 p.m., Fox. This reruns the fairly funny season-opener, in which Kelso dallies with a California beach beauty (singer Jessica Simpson, while Donna fumes and Eric races to the rescue.