Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Something's Gotta Give" (2003), 8 p.m., CBS. Jack Nicholson, who turns 69 today, plays an old guy who dates younger women. This is not a stretch for him or for Hollywood. He's with Amanda Peet, 34. Then he's surprised to be attracted to her mom, played by Diane Keaton, 60. The result is a comedy that did well at the box office.
"Elizabeth I," 5 p.m., HBO; concludes Monday. Queen Elizabeth I is one of history's great figures. She ruled England for 45 years, eluding potential military and economic collapse. This focuses mainly on soap-opera details but does it splendidly. It starts 20 years into the reign of Elizabeth (Helen Mirren); tonight focuses on her relationship with her soul mate, the Earl of Leicester (Jeremy Irons). On Monday, that switches to his protege, the Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy). All three actors are brilliant and the film is visually stunning. The one flaw is that Nigel Williams' script uses stilted language. People wrote that way in the 16th century, but that doesn't prove they talked that way. Fortunately, the actors usually overcome it.
OF LOCAL NOTE
"The 43rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival," 6 p.m., KITV. Competition tonight features hula troupes showing off their talents in 'auana (modern) dance, followed by the festival's awards ceremonies. Broadcast live from Hilo.
OF NOTE
"Human Trafficking," 2 p.m., Lifetime. Here's a chance to see this intense, well-made miniseries in one chunk. Mira Sorvino stars as a federal agent trying to stop the spread of sexual slavery. There are superb performances by young Canadian actresses as the victims.
"Too Hot Not to Handle," 4 p.m., HBO. The impact of global warming is already fierce, this strong documentary says. The number of deadly heat waves has tripled since 1950. Arctic spots are melting and higher sea levels have eroded shorelines. This film focuses on the problem, then offers solutions: Americans, who create one-quarter of the world's carbon dioxide, can use hybrid cars, fuel-efficient cars, even alternate forms of fuel.
"What a Girl Wants" (2003), 5 p.m., Nickelodeon, and "Hello Sister, Goodbye Life!" (2006), 8 p.m., ABC Family. Two mildly pleasant movies geared to young females. In "Girl" Amanda Bynes is a teen who learns her father is a rich Englishman. In "Sister" Lacy Chabert is a college student suddenly in charge of her 7-year-old half-sister.
"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Natalie Portman hosts with music by Fall Out Boy.