Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Short Screamers," 8 p.m., AMC. After weeks of Halloween programming, cable networks wrap it up tonight. One example is this special.

Horror author Clive Barker hosts a half-hour stuffed with tiny films (about a minute each) by amateurs or novices.

"Shadow of the Vampire" (2000), 6 and 10 p.m., A&E. In 1922, German director F.W. Murnau directed Max Schreck in ONosferatu," which became a silent classic. Now this offbeat film fictionalizes that account with John Malkovich starring as the director hell-bent on keeping his star (Willem Dafoe) from eating his way through the cast.

Of note

"Biography," 5 and 9 p.m., A&E. To fit the Halloween theme, this network reruns its profile of author Stephen King.

"Joan of Arcadia," 7 p.m., CBS. Joan is startled to learn that God wants her to be a cheerleader.

"The George Lopez Show," 7 p.m., ABC. Laid off from the factory, workers want to raise money for a friend by turning George's home into a haunted house.

"Hope & Faith," 8 p.m., ABC. Faith (Kelly Ripa) falls for a guy, but her sister is suspicious of him.

"Scare Tactics," 8 p.m., Sci Fi. This show, which specializes in scary practical jokes, offers its Halloween special. It shows clips of past jokes that worked and several that failed.

"Third Watch," 9 p.m., NBC. This is the show's new slot. Scheduled to start things is an episode in which Sully (Skipp Sudduth) instinctively saves a judge, played by Ann-Margret. He's bitter when she then demands he be her bodyguard. Meanwhile, Cruz (Tia Texada), despite her previous meltdown, is allowed to go undercover again. She and Monroe (Nia Long) try to expose a sex scam.