Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Summerland" debut, 7 p.m., WB. The good news is that broadcast networks no longer have a summer slumber. Tonight, they combine for eight hours of non-reruns. We haven't seen the final version of "Summerland," but an early version was promising. Like last summer's "The O.C.," it wants to put solid drama in a California beach setting with blue skies, hard bodies and bright faces. Lori Loughlin plays a fashion designer whose life changes when a fatal car crash puts her in charge of her sister's children. This is a big change for her and a bigger one for the kids.

Of Note

"Biography," 5, 9 p.m., A&E. On Monday, A&E provided a compelling portrait of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in "Ike: Countdown to D-Day." Now it views him with a new documentary.

"Summer Music Mania," 7 p.m., Fox. Fox is leading the few-rerun charge this summer, with a flurry of series and specials. It signals that here with two hours of pop music. Jessica Simpson and her sister Ashlee perform separately. Others include Nelly, Ludacris, 3 Doors Down, Mario Winans and Black Eyed Peas.

"Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. Here is the episode NBC ran before the Miss USA telecast, with six of the pageant's contestants competing. It's being rerun now to lead into the Miss Universe show.

"Miss Universe," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's the finale of the international beauty contest. Gloria Estefan sings.

"Peter Jennings Reporting," 9 p.m., ABC. Jennings traces a year with the police who fight gang violence in Los Angeles.

"Independent Lens: Cosmopolitan," 10 p.m., PBS. After years of sharp documentaries, this series surprises us with a fictional film. Roshan Seth stars as a quiet American, born in India, set in his ways. Then his wife and daughter leave. He studies Cosmopolitan magazine and tries to meet his flirtatious neighbor (Carol Kane). The story by Sabrina Dhawan ("Monsoon Wedding") is OK, but what makes it work is the stylish direction, complete with takeoffs of made-in-India musicals.