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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Office," 7 p.m., NBC. Maybe this is the best way to meet this odd and sometimes wonderful comedy series. Catch four straight reruns; it grows on you. The original British version was both brilliant and difficult. It offered an office and its boss, a clueless sort who inexplicably thinks he's funny and charming. The U.S. version began with an episode similar to the British pilot. That airs at 7 p.m. today and is the weakest of the four; the subsequent ones meet the American need for more punch lines and laughs. The second and third episodes are often hilarious. The fourth is OK. In the second, an outside expert (played by Larry Wilmore, one of the series producers) arrives. He's supposed to teach about diversity, something boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell) can't grasp. In the third, Scott is supposed to choose a health plan. He turns the job over to his officious assistant (Rainn Wilson). In the fourth, an outsider (Amy Adams) sells purses at the office. Guys lust after her, an irritation for the sweet-faced and sweet-tempered Pam (Jenna Fischer).

OF NOTE

"So You Think You Can Dance," 7 p.m., Fox. With the field down to 16 contestants — and with a full two hours tonight — each person will get to do two dances.

"Brat Camp," 7 and 8 p.m., ABC. After pre-empting the show last week for a Peter Jennings special, ABC tries to get back on schedule. In the first hour, a rerun, the teens must spend three days alone in the wilderness. In the second, some will get to go home for Christmas and New Year's, but others have to stay at the camp.

"Over There," 7 p.m., FX. This hour builds to a strong, emotional conclusion. Soldiers are on their own in deciding whether to shoot a civilian who may or may not be a spotter for enemy artillery.

"Rock Star: INXS," 8 p.m., CBS. More reality: Another singer is ousted.

"American Masters: Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds," 9 p.m., PBS. A solemn man in private, Richard Rodgers composed joyous music. He did more than 70 Broadway musicals — almost all with Lorenz Hart or Oscar Hammerstein as lyricists — and dominated the industry. Here, PBS reruns a superb 2001 documentary.

"Lost," 9 p.m., ABC. As Sawyer searches for a giant boar, we flash back through his tortured life.

"Venus and Serena: For Real" finale, 10 and 10:30 p.m., ABC Family. This show had finished taping prior to Venus Williams' dramatic Wimbledon victory. It added extra footage, which we'll see here.

— Mike Hughes, Gannett News Service