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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 11, 2009

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kiefer Sutherland stars as Jack Bauer in "24," which premieres with a special two-night, four-hour event, today and tomorrow at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Fox

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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"24" season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. For a moment, things seem civil enough. Jack Bauer is scrubbed and shaved and in a suit coat, defending himself before a Senate committee. Then a new crisis appears, as fierce and harsh as the previous ones. Within the first two hours, we'll see guns, brutality and imminent disaster; we'll also be reminded that "24" is one of TV's best shows. There are moments — especially in the next two hours, tomorrow — that are simply absurd. Even with that, "24" has a kinetic energy and emotional jolt that sweeps viewers along. It also has a great new set of actors, including Cherry Jones and Colm Feore as the president and her husband.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

Golden Globe awards, 7 p.m., NBC. Here are some awards that actually make a difference, especially for movies. Up for best drama are "Frost/Nixon," "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Up for best comedy or musical are "Burn After Reading," "Mamma Mia," "In Bruges," "Happy-Go-Lucky and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." On the TV side, cable dominates. Among dramas, Fox's "House" faces cable's "Mad Men," "True Blood," "In Treatment" and "Dexter." For comedies, NBC's "30 Rock" and "The Office" face cable's "Weeds," "Entourage" and "Californication." There's much more, involving stars in nice clothes.

OTHER CHOICES INCLUDE

Football, 8 a.m., Fox and 11:30 a.m., CBS. An NFL play-off doubleheader has the Philadelphia Eagles at the New York Giants and then the San Diego Chargers at the Pittsburgh Steelers. By the end of the night, we'll know which teams will battle next Sunday for the two Super Bowl spots.

Golden Globes previews, 4-8 p.m., three networks. Two cable channels — E and the TV Guide Network — have preview shows at 4 p.m. and red-carpet shows 6-7 p.m. NBC has its own red-carpet show 6 p.m.

"Desperate Housewives," 8 p.m., ABC. Susan and Edie get some bonding time, when they're accidentally locked in a basement together. Meanwhile, parenting problems lead Gabrielle to turn to Carlos and Lynette to turn to her mother.

"Cold Case," 8 p.m., CBS. A reporter was killed 20 years ago. Now fresh information shows she was investigating a plastics company; a new probe begins.

"Masterpiece Classic: Tess of the D'Ubervilles" conclusion, 8 p.m., PBS (check local listings). Sweet Tess grew up poor, then was raped by the wealthy young Alec; her baby, Sorrow, died in a pauper's grave. Now she's found love with angelic Angel; life looks promising — unless she manages, again, to say all the wrong things. This well-crafted film captures a dark era.