Posted on: Saturday, February 12, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Lackawanna Blues," 6 p.m., HBO. Family warmth comes in many forms. In the real childhood of Ruben Santiago-Hudson, it came in a rowdy boarding house in Lackawanna, N.Y., near Buffalo. Rachel "Nanny" Crosby ran the place, with many of the tenants coming from jail, mental facilities, or general trouble. The exception was Ruben, a toddler whose mother was too frazzled to raise him. These strangers partied and fought with each other and loved Ruben. He became a Tony-winning actor; he also created this warm remembrance as a one-man show. For the HBO version, director George C. Wolfe has opened up the story — way up. The screen explodes with color and zest. Wolfe has made a film that's stunning. And the one man has been replaced by platoons of talent. In small roles, you'll spot Jimmy Smits, Lou Gossett Jr., Rosie Perez, Delroy Lindo, Macy Gray and Mos Def. In big ones, you'll see a superb cast, led by S. Epatha Merkerson as Nanny. This is a rich, deep and wonderfully moving performance.

Of Note

Racing, 3 p.m., Fox. Here's NASCAR's Budweiser Shoot-out from Daytona Beach, Fla.

"A Charlie Brown Valentine," 7 p.m., ABC. Charlie finally gets a valentine, in a pleasantly adequate cartoon.

"Winnie the Pooh, a Valentine for You," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Here's more Valentine's Day animation.

"Desperate Housewives," 8 and 9 p.m., ABC. Two reruns go back-to-back, getting viewers ready for a new episode Sunday. In tonight's first episode, the women learn what happened to Martha Huber. In the second, Ryan O'Neal arrives as Lynette's shifty father-in-law. Stick around, because there's also a chillingly oblique scene between Mary Alice's widower and their son.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. This is the episode that found a turning point for Fin (Ice-T). That begins when he's accidentally in the middle of a convenience-store shoot-out.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. One way to get youth appeal, it seems, is to simply borrow Fox's stars. Last week, Paris Hilton hosted. This time, Jason Bateman of "Arrested Development" hosts, and Kelly Clarkson of "American Idol" fame is the musical guest.