Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2005
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Exonerated," 7, 11 p.m., Court TV. Great drama requires a powerful story and a superb actor. Now we have six of each, plus brilliant writing and directing. Making this even more compelling is that it's about real people, with the words taken from transcripts and interviews. Each of the six people was convicted of murder or rape and sent to death row.
Later — as much as 22 years later — each was proven innocent, through DNA or confessions. Mostly, we get monologues, with brief appearances by other characters. That's all we need. The stories reverberate with pain, power and hope. Actors Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Delroy Lindo, Brian Dennehy, Aidan Quinn and newcomer David Brown Jr. capture every nuance. Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen wrote a superb script, weaving between the six stories. Bob Balaban directed beautifully. This is one of TV's great moments. "Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. Joey joins Michael's book club so he can meet women. But he may have to read a book. Meanwhile, his sister fumes when she learns that an old cosmetology-school classmate is now a stylist to the stars. "The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. Now that Lindsay knows she's Caleb's daughter, Ryan tries to get them together. It doesn't go well. "The Apprentice," 7:30 p.m., NBC. The two teams must fix up and run lowly motels. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A serial killer seems to have returned to a Las Vegas college. "Point Pleasant," 8 p.m., Fox. Lucas Boyd, the devil's advocate, causes trouble for townspeople; Christina, the devil's daughter, confronts him. "Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. A woman (Elizabeth Berkley) disappears after winning an extreme-makeover contest.
Of Note
