TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"High School Musical," 8 p.m., Disney Channel. Can a bad script be turned into a good movie? Occasionally, if the right passion, energy and talent are thrown in. "High School Musical" starts by stealing the opening of "Grease." On vacation, the most popular guy in school meets a sweet and shy beauty. He's soon surprised to learn she's the new student in school. From there it stretches believability wildly. Does anyone believe a basketball championship game would be scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on a school day — the same time as an academic competition and tryouts for the school musical? Does anyone believe this show's grotesquely over-the-top portrayal of a school drama director? Little of this makes sense; all is quickly forgiven, however, because of the show's sheer charm. Zac Efron is excellent as Troy Bolton, a jock who thinks he might want to try out for a musical. Vanessa Anne Hudgens is wonderful as Gabriella Montez, a shy genius with a sweet voice. Along the way, we get a bouncy, pop-rock score. Kenny Ortega, who first came to fame as the "Dirty Dancing" choreographer, has skillfully directed and choreographed a young cast of near-unknowns. Alongside the gentle solos and duets, he includes a few big production numbers vibrant enough to get the student body moving.

OF NOTE

"Chicago" (2002), 6 p.m., Bravo, and "Erin Brockovich" (2000), 7 p.m., TBS. Two terrific movies, with Oscar-winning performances, collide. Julia Roberts was named best actress for her great work as the real-life Brockovich, a lowly law aide who used brains, grit and seductive charm to battle a giant utility company; Stephen Soderbergh ("Traffic") directed slickly and smartly. Catherine Zeta-Jones won as best supporting actress in a tale of glamour and murder in long-ago Chicago; Rob Marshall directed a zestful, stylish film that was also named best picture.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. A grieving mom must convince her 6-year-old son that he died in a train wreck a year ago.

"The Bernie Mac Show," 7 p.m., Fox. Wanda's behavior seems to change as she takes fertility treatments.

"Dancing With the Stars," 7 p.m., ABC. Fhis week's results show dumps another star from the competition.

"Hope & Faith," 7:30 p.m., ABC. This won't be easy: Charley wants to dump his wife (Faith Ford) from the bowling team and replace her with her sister (Kelly Ripa).

"The Book of Daniel," 9 p.m., NBC. The Rev. Daniel Webster is surprised to meet a little girl who shares his habit of actually seeing Jesus during conversations. Meanwhile, his wife meets temptation. And one of their sons causes trouble at his brother's job.

"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. The lone witness to a murder was the victim's 11-year-old son, who's now too stunned to speak.

TONIGHT ON KHNL NEWS 8

KHNL News 8's Marvin Buenconsejo continues our Lucky You Live Hawaii reports. Each week we profile a different community and some of the things that make it a great place to live. That's tonight on KHNL News 8.