Posted on: Saturday, January 1, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Today's Must-See

Bowl game triple-header, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ABC. Things start at 8 a.m. with the Capital One Bowl between Iowa and Louisiana State University. It's the last LSU game for Nick Saban, who is jumping to the pros with the Miami Dolphins. The other Big Ten champ, Michigan, has its turn at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Bowl. It faces Texas — the first time these powerhouses have met. Things wraps up at 3:30 p.m. with the Fiesta Bowl, which could be a shootout. Utah, undefeated and high-scoring, faces Pittsburgh.

Of Note

"Monk," all day, USA Network. This clever and funny mystery show offers a rerun each hour.

"Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Parade," 6 a.m., ABC, CBS, NBC. Bright and booming, this parade continues until 7:30 a.m. on NBC, 8 a.m. on ABC, and 8:30 a.m. on CBS.

Outback Bowl, 6 a.m., ESPN. Wisconsin, which had its Rose Bowl dreams snuffed by Iowa, seeks consolation, facing Georgia.

Cotton Bowl, 7 a.m., Fox. Why wait until afternoon to start the bowl binge? This one has Tennessee at Texas A&M.

Gator Bowl, 7:30 a.m., NBC. Florida State faces West Virginia.

"Brian Boitano Holiday Skating Spectacular," 11 a.m., NBC. These annual specials offer lyrical beauty. Skaters include Kristi Yamaguchi, Elvis Stojko and Boitano; Diana DeGarmo, the "American Idol" runner-up, sings.

"Lorenzo's Oil" (1992), 7 p.m., Pax TV. George Miller was an Australian doctor before directing the brilliant "Mad Max" films. Here, he made what some people consider one of the best medical movies. In a true story, Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte play parents insisting on help for their son, who has an obscure disease.

"Andy Griffith Reunion: Back to Mayberry," 7 p.m., CBS. This rerun offers clips and memories of "The Andy Griffith Show" with Ron Howard, Griffith and more.

"NCIS," 8 p.m., CBS. This rerun has a translator dying with emeralds hidden in his stomach.

"Law & Order: Special Victims unit," 9 p.m., NBC. When a 5-year-old boy disappears, the investigation branches out.