Posted on: Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. In a previous season, cops came up with a way to protect assistant district attorney Alexandra Cabot (Stephanie March). After letting hit men think they'd killed her, she was slipped into the witness protection program. Now they find someone connected to that hit. Here's an intelligent drama, with strong emotions, rich ethics questions and good guest work by Nicholas Gonzalez.

"One Day at a Time Reunion," 8 p.m., CBS. Compared with other reunion shows, this hour is mild. "One Day at a Time" wasn't one of TV's biggest shows. It lasted nine seasons, peaked at No. 8 in the annual Nielsen ratings, but stirred little excitement. This special has neither the frankness of NBC's "Seinfeld" and "Saturday Night Live" specials or the length of ABC's "Happy Days" special. We get lots of clips, plus conversations with stars Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips, Valerie Bertinelli and Pat Harrington. They laugh a lot and briefly mention Phillips' past drug problems. Mostly, this is a pleasant-enough visit with some long-ago friends.

Of Note

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's the first chance to hear all 12 female semi-finalists. Then viewers vote. On Wednesday, we'll learn which four (two male, two female) have been eliminated.

"My Wife and Kids," 7 p.m., ABC. The NBC "supersize" approach moves to ABC with three comedies each going to 40 minutes. This one wraps up a two-parter, with a disastrous vacation for Michael (Damon Wayans) and his wife. David Alan Grier — Wayans' former "In Living Color" colleague — plays a guy Michael finds annoying.

"The George Lopez Show," 7:40 p.m., ABC. George has an elaborate scheme to surprise his wife by renewing their vows.

"Nova: A Daring Flight," 8 p.m., PBS. Louis Bleriot was a bold pioneer, making drastic changes between each of his plane designs. The 11th prototype worked; in 1909, he crossed the English Channel and became a hero. This episode tells his fascinating story, entwined with a so-so look at his grandson's effort to duplicate the flight on an old plane.

"According to Jim," 8:20 p.m., ABC. Jim must cover up the fact that his wife's wedding dress was accidentally destroyed.

"NYPD Blue," 9 p.m., ABC. Last week brought big changes. Bale was shot. Andy, demoted to sergeant, was temporarily returned to detective to pursue the case. Now, in the second-to-last episode of this great series, the search for the shooter continues.

"Independent Lens: Thunder in Guyana," 10:30 p.m., PBS. Here is the fascinating story of Janet Rosenberg Jagan. White, Jewish and from Chicago, she moved to Guyana with her husband in 1943. In 1997, at 77, she successfully ran for that country's presidency.