Posted on: Monday, May 9, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"American Experience: The Carter Family: Will the Circle Be Unbroken," 9 p.m., PBS. Everything about the Carter Family reflected country music. The Virginia trio emerged from the appropriately named Poor Valley. It rattled into a 1927 recording tryout in an old pickup. "They looked like hillbillies," record producer Ralph Peer later said. "But as soon as I heard Sara's voice, that was it." They had the talent and the songs, which A.P. Carter gathered, adapted and eventually copyrighted. That included "Keep On the Sunny Side," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and hundreds more. And they had the personal drama. A.P. was married to Sara; Maybelle, the guitarist, was Sara's cousin and A.P.'s brother's wife. Sara separated from A.P. in 1933, divorced in 1939 and married his cousin. The music went on. Maybelle's influence would span generations with her daughter (June Carter) marrying Johnny Cash. The family history — as rich and morose as the music — is told beautifully in this hour.

Of Note

"Confessions of an American Bride," 6 p.m., Lifetime. As people read news stories about the current "runaway bride," they might enjoy this lighter look at wedding overkill. Shannon Elizabeth ("American Pie") plays a perfect bride-to-be, bright and beautiful, with a perfect groom-to-be. Then things are complicated by parents' expectations and by the return of a handsome college classmate. "Confessions" offers no surprises but is a moderately enjoyable tale.

"Everybody Loves Raymond," 7:30 and 8 p.m., CBS. Debra bemoans the fact that Ray never picks things up. Then comes a new episode in which Robert learns that Amy's mom (Georgia Engel) has a bad habit that she wants kept secret.

"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Jon Lovitz returns to his role as an eccentric billionaire. Once suicidal, he's now dating the beautiful singer Ashanti, who plays herself.

"Two and a Half Men," 8:30 p.m., CBS. Charlie quickly regrets borrowing money from his mom.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. A psychopathic doctor may have killed 14 girls; Allison tries to stop him. Meanwhile, her husband deals with another problem: Their daughter is accused of cheating at school.