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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Great Performances: South Pacific in Concert," 9 p.m., PBS. For a moment, the audience might feel cheated: This isn't really "South Pacific," it's just the songs and random dialogue. Performers carry books in their hands. That gripe fades quickly, though. These are gorgeous songs, performed by stunning talents; let them have their books. Reba McEntire is the perfect choice for Nellie Forbush, the wide-eyed Southern nurse, dazzled on a wartime island. She brings humor and joy; she also sings beautifully. Brian Stokes Mitchell is a marvel as Emile de Becque, the French planter. This show has drawn some of the great baritones, including Ezio Pinza and Giorgio Tozzi. It's doubtful that any could top Mitchell's stunning power. There's much more, led by Jason Danieley as Lt. Cable and Lillias White as Bloody Mary. Backed by a chorus and a 45-piece orchestra, they tackle the Rodgers-and-Hammerstein classics — "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "Happy Talk" and more. It's a great performance.

OF NOTE

"Video Justice" debut, 5 and 5:30 p.m., Court TV. Here is reality TV at its most basic: We simply see tapes of actual crimes, with narration and brief interviews. Some are only mildly interesting, at best, but the opener does have a primitive appeal. A man in a stolen pickup truck leads police on a two-hour, rush-hour chase. It's a daft thing to do but any frustrated commuter will kind of empathize with him, as he weaves and bumps ahead.

"Alias," 7 p.m., ABC. In the final moments of last week's two-hour episode, viewers got what they wanted: Sydney's daughter was born; we also learned that Vaughn, the baby's dad, is still alive, in some mountain retreat. There's much more that needs to be worked out over the show's final five episodes. Tonight, Will is kidnapped by Anna; new mom Syd must get back to work.

"Amazing Race," 7 p.m., CBS. The teams race across Australia.

"American Idol," 8 p.m., Fox. It's time to trim the field to five. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will sing.

"Lost: Reckoning," 8 p.m., ABC. On the final night before a "sweeps" ratings period, ABC has another recap hour. This reviews romantic relationships — Hurley and Libby, Sun and Jin, Kate and Jack or Sawyer. It also looks at the belief systems of Locke and Michael.

"Invasion," 9 p.m., ABC. Relations between the hybrids and the others are getting more violent now. And Szura and his recruits have left their island.