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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Help Me Help You" debut, 8:30 p.m., ABC. Some of this show's funniest moments come early, as we meet the people in a therapy group. One guy's suicide attempt fails spectacularly. Another guy has anger issues; another is the only person who doesn't think he's gay. Then there's a woman with zero social skills. And another who obsesses on her therapist. These people get a therapist (Ted Danson) who can't straighten out his own troubles with his estranged wife (Jane Kaczmarek) and their daughter. The result has dandy sight gags. Next week's episode starts to repeat itself, but this opener is great fun.

OF NOTE

"Wait 'Til Next Year: The Saga of the Chicago Cubs," 7 p.m., HBO. It's been 61 years since the Cubs reached the World Series, 98 years since they won it. This film includes the frustrations of three years — 1969, 1984 and 2004 — when apparent triumph was snatched away. Unlike a similar documentary on the Red Sox, this one has an undercoat of joy. "Love and faith and hope are part of the Cubs' equation," says Matt Liston, a fan.

"Dancing With the Stars," 7:30 p.m., ABC. The third round starts with this 90-minute episode, leading into "Help Me Help You."

"Nova: Mystery of the Megavolcano," 8 p.m., PBS. Some 75,000 years ago, a supervolcano may have devastated the Earth. Now several magma chambers are capable of doing that again, this film says; the largest, below the Yellowstone National Park, has enough magma to fill more than 200 Grand Canyons. This hour mixes spectacular pictures and scary thoughts.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 8 p.m., NBC. Julianne Nicholson, who was delightful in "Conviction," takes over, working with Logan (Chris Noth). They investigate the death of a womanizing doctor.

"Great Performances: Mozart at 250: The Salzburg Festival Celebration," 9 p.m., PBS. Wolfgang Mozart's 250th birthday was eight months ago, but the party continues. Tonight's concert has the Vienna Philharmonic, plus six opera stars.

"Boston Legal," 9 p.m., ABC. Craig Bierko, who starred in Broadway's "Music Man" revival, plays the firm's newest lawyer. He's defending someone accused of killing a judge.