Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"American Experience: RFK," 9 p.m., PBS. Bobby Kennedy often had a pit-bull image. He fought mobsters, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Hoffa; he fought any battle his brother, John F. Kennedy, needed fought. The real person was far different, this beautifully made documentary says. Family duty kept nudging the smallest and gentlest of the Kennedy boys into conflict. Here's an extraordinarily warm film, mostly through friends' eyes.
"Plain Truth," 6 p.m., Lifetime. An Amish teenager is accused of secretly giving birth and then killing her baby. She denies that she has ever had sex or been pregnant. Now her big-city lawyer must live the Amish way while trying to find the truth. This film has some extreme contrivances and melodramatic moments. Still, it brings enough humanity to keep us watching. Mariska Hargitay is good as the lawyer. Alison Pill, a talented young Canadian, is excellent as her quiet client.
Of Note
"Smallville," 7 p.m., ABC Family. The youthful WB series is starting cable reruns each weeknight. That begins now with the well-made opener that goes back to the original meteor shower. Stick around at 8 p.m. for a documentary, "Smallville Backstage Special."
"And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop" opener, 7 p.m., VH1. These days, rap and hip-hop dominate the mainstream. Now the start of this excellent, five-night documentary reminds us of its roots. In parks, on street corners and at informal parties, brilliant young DJ's began experimenting with turntables.
"Listen Up," 7:30 p.m., CBS. Tony (Jason Alexander), the competitive type, is bitter again. At his kids' school, his colleague (Malcolm- Jamal Warner) makes a better impression talking about his work.
"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. This season's first two episodes were wonderful, with Ray's parents moving into a retirement complex one week, then being banished the next. Now things are back to normal; Ray frets that his plans will be foiled by a feud between his wife and his mother.
"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. Jonathan Togo joins the show as a new crime-scene guy.
"LAX," 9 p.m., NBC. The airport decides not to inform passengers of a security problem. That leaves it with some bitter customers.
