Posted on: Monday, November 8, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"They Made America," 9 and 10 p.m., PBS; concludes next Monday. Consider the audacity of Ted Turner whose then-tiny CNN took on the networks, or of Russell Simmons, who wanted the hip-hop world to conquer the suburbs. Both were wildly ambitious; both succeeded. This terrific documentary tells why.

Of Note

"Girlfriends," 5 p.m., UPN (KIKU). Here's the 100th episode of this pleasant comedy. Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross) struggles with her restaurant venture while arguing about it with her mom.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), 7 p.m., WB. Here's the second half of this wonderful, Oscar-winning fantasy. Even if you missed Sunday's opener and can't tell the creatures apart, you'll enjoy the stunning craftsmanship of writer-director Peter Jackson.

"Listen Up," 7:30 p.m., CBS. Tony (Jason Alexander) bets his daughter that he can come up with a better present for his dad (Garry Marshall).

"Two and a Half Men," 8 p.m., CBS. With "Everybody Loves Raymond" only making 18 episodes in its final season, CBS rations them. Tonight, it gives the spot to this fun comedy, which may inherit it next season. Here, Camryn Manheim guests as the sister of housekeeper Berta; she's supposed to cater a party for the boys' pushy mom.

"CSI: Miami," 8:30 p.m., CBS. This expanded episode has a tsunami ready to belt Miami with 30-foot waves. Also, there are murders and a robbery scheme.

"$25 Million Dollar Hoax," 9 p.m., NBC. NBC proves it can be just as cruel as Fox. A sweet-seeming young woman has won a fortune and has to lie to her loved ones, making them think that she refuses to share it. The flaw in the title (it has both the dollar symbol and the word "dollar") is just the start of the trouble.