Posted on: Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Independent Lens: Short, Not Sweet," 10 p.m., PBS. Filmmakers — many of them strange and talented — keep turning out short films that few people see. Now PBS offers this dandy collection, made mostly by Canadians. 'The School" is dry and droll and disarmingly funny. It's about an elementary school that seems overloaded with bad luck. "Why the Anderson Children Didn't Come to Dinner" is filmed with great style. Set in a 1950s-style home where the mother obsesses on each meal, it offers a wonderful, escapist finale.
"La Puppe" is an offbeat little tale told mainly via black-and-white photos of a stuffed dog. "A Monster's Calling" is an animated film in which a monster finds out what frightens each child. Then there's "The Fine Line Between Cute and Creepy" with two parallel tales. In each, two good-looking guys use the same technique to woo attractive women. The results differ wildly (one woman falls in Iove, the other feels she's being stalked). It's a clever testament to perception. "Veronica Mars," 5 p.m., UPN (KIKU). In a surprising move, Veronica helps a popular girl who has been maligned. "Moving Image Salutes John Travolta," 6 and 10 p.m., Bravo. Clips and comments fill this tribute. "Father of the Pride," 7 p.m., NBC. This animated comedy offers three new episodes on a night when everything else (except "Independent Lens") is a rerun. In the first, Kate (Cheryl Hines) damages her election campaign by offending turkeys; she tries to make amends during the Festival of Pilgrim Betrayal, which is sort of like Thanksgiving. In the second, her dad Sarmoti (Carl Reiner) moves in, driving her crazy. In the third, Sarmoti and Larry (his son-in-law) wander the desert in search of Kate; a cunning coyote (David Spade) offers to help. "NCIS," 7 p.m., CBS. Spooky stuff: A helicopter is found in a crop circle with the pilot missing. "My Wife and Kids," 7 p.m., ABC. Concluding a two-parter, Michael finally gets to play basketball with Michael Jordan. "House," 8 p.m., Fox. Here's the third rerun of this excellent series in a two-day stretch. This time a woman sleeps 18 hours a day and is grouchy the rest of the time. Dr. House scrambles to find a medical explanation. "According to Jim," 8 p.m., ABC. Jim gets his wife drunk so he can slip off to see a big fight. "Scrubs," 8:30 p.m., NBC. The doctors are shaken by Dr. Cox, who tells them they'll occasionally kill a patient. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Ming-Na ("ER") guest stars. She tries to help police catch a vicious ring that smuggles people from China.
Of Note
