Posted on: Thursday, October 21, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Broadway: The American Musical" conclusion, 9 p.m., PBS. When "West Side Story" opened in 1957, it made fresh demands. The duties of director and choreographer were combined in one man, Jerome Robbins; actors had to be great dancers and vice versa. Robbins continued to triumph — especially with 1972's "Fiddler on the Roof." Others followed his visual approach, peaking when Julie Taymor directed and designed "The Lion King." There have been other twists and turns, many of them contradictory. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim created virtual operas with music flowing throughout the story.

Still, Jerry Herman ("La Cage Aux Folles") and Mel Brooks ("The Producers") proved there's still a place for comedy and for simple, enjoyable tunes. Big shows, with $10-million price tags and corporate producers, ruled. Still, the late Jonathan Larson's "Rent" showed that Broadway could still be a personal experience. This terrific documentary closes with "Wicked," a mega-budget hit.

Of Note

"Extreme Makeover," 7 p.m., ABC. This revisits three people — a librarian, a teacher and a guy with a younger wife — and sees how their lives have changed.

"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. So far, we haven't heard much about Gina's job. That changes when her boss' untalented daughter gets many of her customers. Joey plans a drastic solution. Meanwhile, he's upset when the attractive neighbor's husband (Matt Letscher) returns.

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The teams have a dog-related project and someone else will get the boot.

"Life as We Know It," 8 p.m., ABC. Romance goes badly for Jonathan and Deborah (Chris Lowell and Kelly Osbourne) and Dino and Jackie (Sean Faris and Missy Peregrym). However, Ben (Jon Foster) may be making progress with his beautiful teacher (Marguerite Moreau).

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A woman who recently had plastic surgery is found dead.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. Shortly after a nanny is fired, she disappears with the baby.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. When two small children fall from a third-story window, no one is sure if abuse was involved. Meanwhile, Corday faces punishment and Neela realizes she really doesn't like to work in a mini-mart.