Posted on: Monday, July 19, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The Grid" debut, 6 and 8 p.m., TNT. At a London hotel a terrorism scheme takes a sudden detour. People die; officials converge.

So far, "The Grid" might seem like just another cable thriller. As directed by Mikael Salomon, who also did this summer's "Salem's Lot," it's quick and compelling. That soon changes, though. "The Grid" is smarter and deeper than viewers might have suspected. It's also slower with lots of conversations between people in suits.

TNT is breaking TV traditions with a four-week, six-hour series. There will be one-hour episodes during the next two Mondays then a two-hour finale Aug. 9. It is also trying to uncover layers of a complex situation. The anti-terrorism team combines American and British agents, including an Arab American who bristles at his colleagues' assumptions. The terrorist team includes a doctor with mixed emotions. The good news is that "The Grid" is smartly written and solidly acted. Julianna Margulies, Dylan McDermott and Jemma Redgrave (the niece of Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave and the cousin of Natasha and Joely Richardson) play key officials. The mixed news is that this is a relatively thick story with few easy moments. Viewers will enjoy the opener but only if they work at it.

Of Note

"TV Movie Superstars: Women You Love," 5 p.m., Lifetime. Here's a lightweight ride through the female-oriented TV movies that dominated recent decades. We get lots of clips and comments, only a few of them substantive. Connie Sellecca says one "House of Secrets and Lies" scene came from a real-life moment when she was five months' pregnant and found her then-husband (Gil Gerard) in bed with another woman. Jaclyn Smith says her "Lies Before Kisses" bed partner (Greg Evigan) insisted she really be naked under the sheets; she refused.

"North Shore," 7 p.m., Fox. Nicole and Tessa are caught up in the efforts of a politician's daughter to escape from her bodyguards.

"My Wife and Kids," 7 p.m., ABC. Michael offers an unusual punishment when Kady's carelessness causes Claire to be injured.

"The Funniest Families in Television Comedy," 8:30 p.m., ABC. Combine this with Lifetime and you have a night of old clips. The title, incidentally, helps us understand that these aren't the funniest families in TV tragedy.