Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TODAY'S MUST-SEE
Parade and bowl games, all day. For TV viewers, Jan. 1 falls on Jan. 2 this year. Most of the things they're accustomed to on New Year's Day fall a day late — except the Rose Bowl, which is Wednesday.
"Wildfire" season opener, 8 p.m., ABC Family, repeating at 9. Part solid drama and part hyper soap opera, "Wildfire" remains interesting despite its excesses. At the core is Kris Furillo (Genevieve Cortese), a tough teen who was in a detention center when she became fond of a hot-spirited horse named Wildfire. Now she trains and rides the horse for a struggling family ranch. As the first season ended, she was in a showdown race against a wealthy stable's champion — with nasty, hot-shot Tina Sharp as the competing jockey. Overwrought moments are juggled with solidly emotional ones in tonight's flawed but interesting hour.
OF NOTE
Rose Parade, 6 a.m., ABC, NBC, HGTV and Travel Channel. The parade begins now, even though the game is still two days away. LeAnn Rimes sings an opening number; since the theme is magic, one float includes magician Lance Burton.
"Surface," 7 p.m., NBC. After a long rest, this show returns with Laura trying to escape and transmit her coverage of tape of the sea creatures.
"Rollergirls" debut, 8 p.m., A&E. This reality series profiles roller-derby women. The sport itself seems contrived, but the first hour has a fascinating focal point. She's a former art student, a pleasant-looking young woman who has an office job by day and crashes into skaters at night.
"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. Borrowing from the headlines, this rerun has a high school student disappearing after partying during a class trip.