Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear," 9 p.m., USA Network. A year ago, the search for the sniper in the Washington, D.C., area riveted the nation. This was a compelling story, one that didn't need any embellishing. So this film wisely plays it straight, showing the intense effort. The result is crisp and involving. Tom McLoughlin has directed it sharply and cast it perfectly. Charles Dutton stars as Charles Moose, the Montgomery County (Md.) police chief who led the investigation. Here is a brilliant actor — winner of two Tonys — who can capture moments of rage and of human desperation. Bobby Hosea and Jay O. Sanders quietly underplay their respective roles as the shooting suspect, John Muhammad, and the county executive Douglas Duncan. Don't expect any histrionics here. Instead, we get a sharp and intelligent view of people under pressure.

Of Note

"Joan of Arcadia," 7 p.m., CBS. God tells Joan to build a boat. Ever since Noah's time, it's been wise to follow that suggestion.

"The George Lopez Show," 7 p.m., ABC. Carmen finally has a boyfriend who meets her father's approval. Naturally, he turns out to be no great catch.

"JAG," 8 p.m., CBS. A Marine faces charges after his mistake led to the deaths of two soldiers in Iraq.

"Hope & Faith," 8 p.m., ABC. It turns out that Faith (Kelly Ripa) wasn't merely dumped from her role on a TV show. She also managed to set fire to the studio. She gets a job to pay for the damage.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. A woman has been murdered while probing child pornography on the Internet. Now Stabler investigates the case and scrambles to find a missing 14-year-old girl.