Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Cast Away" (2000), 7 p.m., ABC. Two terrific talents — Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Back To the Future") — turned this into an understated pleasure. Hanks plays an ordinary chap who is the sole survivor of a plane crash and is stranded for years on an island. Clinging to his sanity, he talks to himself and to his soccer ball. There are no gimmicks, treasures or pirates. Quietly and skillfully, "Cast Away" entertains us.

Of Note

"The Michael Jackson Case," 6, 10 p.m., A&E. A&E devotes an hour to Michael Jackson's legal troubles. Both legal and psychological experts will weigh in on what they think Jackson will face in court.

"House of Dreams" debut, 7, 11 p.m., A&E. Sixteen people build a house in Florida, with one of them winning it. In the opener, contestants face a disturbing question: Should they vote out the most deserving people, simply because they're the toughest competition?

"Antiques Roadshow," 8 p.m., PBS. As the show starts a three-week stay in Chicago, Lara Spencer of "Good Morning America" takes over as host.

"Airline" debut, 8 and 8:30 p.m., A&E. The miracle here is that Southwest Airlines and its passengers took part in this. The airline sometimes comes off badly, with tangled rules. A couple is at the ticket counter before discovering they must prove with a birth certificate that their toddler is under 2 and can fly for free. The passengers — sometimes drunken, confused or nasty — come off worse. Mostly, viewers will wish they could just take a wagon train.

"American Experience: Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided," 9 p.m., PBS. Over three nights, PBS is rerunning a portrait of the Lincolns. It's richly crafted with moments of deep perception and profound tragedy.