Posted on: Saturday, June 18, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Reno 911," 7 and 7:30 p.m., Comedy Central; also, "Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. As situation comedies crumble, it helps to find alternatives. "Reno 911" is semi-improvised and set amid inept sheriff's deputies. It's always been funny, but this season got off to the best start yet: Framed by an evil district attorney, all of the cops are in prison. Then comes "Saturday Night Live," with Liam Neeson hosting and Modest Mouse as musical guest. There are some neatly off-center moments, particularly with Neeson in a low-budget Irish variation on a home-makeover show.

Of Note

"Ray Romano & Kevin James," 6:30 p.m., HBO. Ray Romano always manages to find something to worry about, his buddy Kevin James says. Now that his show ("Everybody Loves Raymond") has gone out on top, he can worry about golf. This documentary follows Romano and James in the pro-amateur golf tournament at Pebble Beach. Like most such documentaries, this is relatively quiet and drab. Romano and James add just enough humor to keep it pleasant.

"Lilo & Stitch" (2002), 7 p.m., ABC. A lonely little Hawai'i girl goes to the pet shelter and chooses a truly impolite pet. It turns out that the creature is from another planet, marked for extinction there. That's part of an animated comedy that was a box-office hit.

"NCIS," 7 and 8 p.m., CBS. The first rerun involves a former Navy SEAL who escaped from prison. The second involves the death of a Marine ordnance specialist.

"The Bone Collector" (1999), 7:30 p.m., NBC. Two Oscar-winners combine in this police drama. Denzel Washington plays the master investigator, now paralyzed. Angelina Jolie plays a troubled young cop. He's supposed to provide advice, plunging her into danger.

"America's Funniest Home Videos," 9 p.m., ABC. This rerun has the Muppets as guests.