Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"The Bachelor" debut, 8 p.m., ABC. After four straight matchmaking failures, viewers need a fresh burst of interest. They might get it in Jesse Palmer, the fifth bachelor; he's like a cross between David James Elliott (of "JAG") and any image of a Royal Canadian Mountie. He's tall and fit, quiet and Canadian.
He's also a pro quarterback. Palmer's first two years with the New York Giants have been so-so, with three starts, three touchdown passes and four interceptions.
By the standards of the rest of the world, however, he's impressive. He's 6-feet-2, 225 pounds, and has a quiet sense of humor.
He also has an advantage:
One of the women is a spy for him, telling him what the other 24 are saying about him. She's secretly an old friend of his, he said, but not a romantic one. To keep up appearances, they may have to fake some heat.
"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Last week, viewers got a double scare when the gifted LaToya London and Jennifer Hudson both reached the bottom three. They survived; surprisingly, Amy Adams was ousted. Tonight, we'll see who goes next, trimming the field to eight.
Of Note
"Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic," conclusion, 2 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. As the first half of this terrific documentary ended, Cecil B. DeMille's directing career had crashed. His epics ruled the silent era, but his sound films sputtered. Even Paramount, the studio he helped create, didn't want him. Now we see his comeback, peaking with his boldest step: In 1956, at 73, he created "The Ten Commandments," his final film and a giant piece of Hollywood history.
"My Wife and Kids," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. In the first rerun, Michael's son starts work at the trucking company. In the second, his wife starts taking psychology courses, soon analyzing everyone.
"The Swan" debut, 8 p.m., Fox. This reality series starts by giving women extreme makeovers. It will end by having viewers choose a winner in what its producer calls "a cross between a beauty pageant and the Olympics."
"Law & Order," 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. The first rerun has an actress' body found in the apartment of a Broadway songwriter. The second is a exaggerated version of the story in which a high-profile publicist faced hit-and-run charges.
