Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Erin Brockovich" (2000), 7 p.m., NBC. The real Erin Brockovich, sassy and flashy, was a struggling single mom, working at a law office. She persisted with an environmental case against a massive California power company. Julia Roberts plays her beautifully here and won an Oscar. Steven Soderbergh directed, in the same year he won an Oscar for "Traffic." They made "Erin Brockovich" a slick, entertaining film.
"Love's Enduring Promise," 7, 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Last year's "Love Comes Softly" was a pleasant surprise. Directed and co-written by Michael Landon Jr., it linked two widowed people (Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff) in the frontier days. Now the widower's daughter (January Jones) is a beauty, meeting a rich man (Mackenzie Astin) and a loner (Logan Bartholomew). The story works because of the passive beauty of the setting and the stars. Jones does a decent job; Barthol-omew is a terribly handsome chap who takes underacting to an extreme.
Of Note
"Matilda" (1996), 3:30 p.m., TBS. A terrific family night starts with Danny DeVito's film of a dark Roald Dahl tale. Mara Wilson plays a little girl, surrounded by nastiness, who develops special powers.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966), 5:30 p.m.; and "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), 6 p.m., TBS. Two classics air back-to-back, suitable for kids and grown-ups. "Grinch" was brilliantly written by Dr. Seuss and animated by Chuck Jones. "Oz" stars a young Judy Garland.
"Stepmom" (1998), 6 p.m., TNT. Even top actors can be in so-so movies. Roberts and Susan Sarandon play the second and first wives of Ed Harris. All three do a fine job with a so-so story.
"The Amazing Race," 7 p.m., CBS. If you missed Tuesday's opener, here's a second chance. The sixth edition begins with 11 duos racing worldwide.
"That Old Feeling" (1997), 7 p.m., Pax TV. Bette Midler and Dennis Farina play a long-divorced couple. They meet, for the first time in 12 years, at the wedding of their daughter (Paula Marshall) and are surprised to find the romance returning. Carl Reiner directed.
"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Luke Wilson hosts, with U2 as musical guest.
