Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Miami Vice," 7 p.m., NBC. In a way, this night is one long commercial. It's synergy reaching overboard � NBC spending three hours promoting a movie from its corporate partner Universal. We'll forgive that, though, because it includes one of TV's happier accidents: the original "Miami Vice" pilot. Handed the notion of "MTV cops," Michael Mann, a gifted writer-turned-producer, worked miracles. In the sleek city of Miami, two cops zoom around in sports cars, chasing crooks while rock music booms. Mann cast Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, respectively. Thomas Carter, a young director, was put in charge. He brought all the style and flash of a long music video. Now Mann has written, directed and produced the "Miami Vice" movie with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx as Crockett and Tubbs. They'll host this night and show lots of clips.
"The Fugitive," (1993), 5 and 7:30 p.m., TNT. This is why people keep trying to turn old TV shows into new movies: On rare occasions, someone gets it right. Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones star with Andrew Davis directing beautifully. For once, the movie topped the series.
OF NOTE
"The Rookie," (2002), 7 p.m., ABC. After straying for a few weeks, ABC is back to having a family film on Saturday. Dennis Quaid stars in the true story of a high school teacher and coach challenged by his students to give professional baseball one more shot.
"Behind Enemy Lines," (2001), 7 p.m., CBS. Owen Wilson, usually seen in comedies, went in a different direction this time. He played a Navy pilot whose plane was shot down behind enemy lines.
"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Jason Lee of "My Name is Earl" hosts, with music by the Foo Fighters.