Posted on: Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Great Performances: John Lennon's Jukebox," 8 p.m., PBS. In 1989, a collector bought an odd device — a personal jukebox owned by the late John Lennon. In it were 41 records that shaped the man who shaped the Beatles. It's a rich sampling of rock history. Now "Great Performances" has talked to the people on the records. Most are American, all (except Fontella Bass singing "Rescue Me") are male, the majority are black. In archival footage, Lennon is quick to acknowledge the influence of R&B. "Performances" includes such familiar people as the Isley Brothers, John Sebastian and writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It also pulls out some real surprises. It finds Ritchie Barrett, the original singer of "Some Other Guy." Viewers can hear Bruce Channel and Delbert McClinton describe the odd moment when two self-described Texas "rednecks" became music idols. It offers interviews, old footage and examples of riffs borrowed later by the Beatles. The result is a rich ride through music's past.
Of Note
"The 9/11 Commission Report," 7, 11 p.m., History Channel. With the third anniversary of Sept. 11 just days away, it's a good time to delve into this special. The History Channel uses video from that tragic day and talks to those who testified and wrote the report. The footage isn't new, "but to see it in the context of this new information, it's phenomenal to learn about the mistakes that were made ... the miscommunications become so glaringly obvious," Tom Seligson, the show's executive producer, tells TV Guide. "Hawaii," 7 p.m., NBC. This show makes an odd nod to the old "Hawaii Five-O" series; violent carjackers are wearing masks bearing the face of Jack Lord, that show's star. Meanwhile, the murder of a prostitute suggests the return of a serial killer; the case is handled by Harrison (Michael Biehn) and Declan (Sharif Atkins) — who has had bad luck since he offended a Hawaiian god. "That '70s Show" season-opener, 7 p.m., Fox. Last season ended by stretching believability with Eric walking away from the wedding with his lifelong love, Donna. Now the show tries to pick up the pieces. "Quintuplets," 7:30 p.m., Fox. An old friend returns from years in Africa; she's now an attractive teenager and that causes complications between the brothers. Meanwhile, their parents want to slip out for a sexy night at a cheap hotel; the result is occasionally funny. "The Bernie Mac Show" season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. This often-terrific comedy starts its season with a so-so episode. After visiting a spy store (run by Snoop Dogg, no less), Bernie uses hidden cameras to spy on his family. "The Drew Carey Show," 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. In the first episode, Drew wants to start his own store. In the second — the finale for this series — he races to marry Kellie before their son is born. "Method & Red," 8:30 p.m., Fox. True tragedy strikes when the guys' plasma TV is stolen. They join the neighborhood watch. "Peter Jennings Reporting: From the Tobacco File: Untold Stories of Betrayal and Neglect," 9 p.m., ABC. Jennings examines why the government has been slow to pass anti-tobacco rules. "Rescue Me," 10 p.m., FX. Dealing with his ex-wife, Tommy defends their daughter's new lifestyle. He also deals with his dad's odd behavior; meanwhile, Sean and Mike launch a firehouse bet.
