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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Jay Banta works in Fish Springs, Utah, and can point out several routes that the old transconti-nental highway took, on "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway," at 8 tonight.

RICK SEBAK | WQED Pittsburgh

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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway," 8 p.m., PBS. Any travelogue can cruise some neatly marked route. The Lincoln Highway is different. It was planned in 1913 as an intercontinental highway. Then parts were moved — often. There are alternate versions of the Lincoln Highway; there are fragments along dirt and brick. Whichever route you take, it's a fascinating journey. There's an old motor court with mini-cabins, a Mexican restaurant run by a New Jersey Irishman. There's a giant shoe, an ancient general store and some Abraham Lincoln statues — two in an Iowa corn field. This ride is full of fun and humanity.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Pushing Daisies," 7 p.m., ABC. Barack Obama has purchased a half-hour at 8 p.m. on CBS, NBC and (pending outcome of sixth World Series game) Fox. That provides an opening for "Daisies," an underappreciated gem. Tonight's case involves a Chinese restaurant; also, a stranger asks about Ned's dad.

OF NOTE

"Batman Begins" (2005), 4 p.m., FX. Here's the movie that set up this year's megahit, "The Dark Knight." It has the same star (Christian Bale) and director (Christopher Nolan).

"Deal or No Deal," 7:30 p.m., NBC. The show expands to 90 minutes tonight, giving "Knight Rider" a rest.

"Redemption Song," 8 and 11 p.m., Fuse (via Oceanic Digital Channel 599 or www.fuse.tv). Most of the 11 women competing for a Geffen Records contract have fine voices; all have sabotaged their careers in the past. Many had drug or alcohol troubles. One says she threw another woman through a window. Now they get a second chance. Several instantly blow it with heavy drinking, but there are plenty of people to root for.

"Great Performances: A Celebration of Leonard Bernstein," 9 p.m., PBS. From the opening moments — a vibrant performance of "Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story' " — it's clear this will be a terrific night. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts some great music with the San Francisco Symphony, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and singers Dawn Upshaw, Thomas Hampson and Christine Ebersole.

"Lipstick Jungle," 9 p.m., NBC. There are some neat twists and turns involving Victory and her billionaire ex-boyfriend Joe. The rest of the hour is kind of weepy.