Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Songs," 7 p.m., CBS. How do you choose between "Staying Alive" and "Over the Rainbow"? How do you weigh new rock and old love tunes? The American Film Institute asked experts to pick the 100 best movie songs ever. Here are the results, hosted by John Travolta.
"P.O.V.: Farmingville," 10 p.m., PBS. One of TV's great series returns. As usual, it does it with power, passion and intelligence. Farmingville, N.Y., is a Long Island community of 15,000. In recent years, this documentary says, 1,500 Mexicans arrived, looking for day labor. Tempers caused frays. Critics of the newcomers complained of overstuffed houses and of crowds standing on street corners; defenders said the men were benign. There is no quick solution when one nation is immensely richer than its neighbor. "P.O.V." paints strong human pictures on both sides.
Of Note
"Outback Jack" premiere, 6, 8:10 p.m., TBS. Twelve gorgeous women parachute into the Australian Outback. There, they try to impress Vadim Dale, a handsome, hardy Aussie athlete. On one level, this eight-week series is a cheeky merger of "Survivor" and "Bachelor." On another, it's a blow against women's equality; the cascade of squeals could undo all the progress forged by strong "Survivor" women.
"Next Action Star," 7 p.m., NBC. The 20 remaining people all look great; now they also have to work with an acting coach. Tonight, the field will be trimmed to 14.
"Sex and the City," 7 and 7:35 p.m., TBS. Beginning tonight this comedy reruns its episodes in order. There will be two each Tuesday, repeating Wednesdays.
"Last Comic Standing," 8 p.m., NBC. Last week, the show picked the 10 comedians who will live together. It's a strong field but there were also odd surprises — plus some upset judges, who said their votes were ignored. Tonight, the show begins dumping one person per week.
"Summerland," 8 p.m., WB. Ava kisses her old friend; his wife seems displeased.
"The Jury," 8 p.m., Fox. A gang case leaves jurors fearful.
"NYPD 24/7," 9 p.m., ABC. Dennis Franz, the "NYPD Blue" star, hosts this seven-week documentary series, which looks at the real New York Police Department.
"Nip/Tuck" season opener, 10 p.m, FX. The last thing this steeply cynical show needed was one more cynic. It gets one, anyway, when Vanessa Redgrave (the real-life mother of co-star Joely Richardson) arrives as the mother of Richardson's character, Julia.
