TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Forgotten on the
Bayou” (2007), 8-10 p.m., Weather Channel.
Rockey Vaccarella provides a
fascinating focal point for this documentary.
He's a self-described “Sicilian
Cajun” whose neighborhood was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Nine
months later, there was still a boat in the middle of one street, a
house in the middle of another.
Still, he vowed to stay positive: He
would haul his FEMA trailer to Washington, D.C., and dine in it with
President Bush. He would thank him for the help and remind him that
there's much more to do.
It's an impossible dream, he's told.
Whether or not he succeeds, you'll love the man and the mission.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “The Gulf is
Back,” 8 p.m., CW.
This Mississippi concert was held as a
tribute to people recovering from the oil spill.
David Hasselhoff hosts. He'll have
stars from country (Lonestar, Ricky Skaggs, Terri Clark), pop (Brian
McKnight) and “American Idol” (Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Ace Young).
TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “The Pillars
of the Earth” finale, 10-11:50 p.m., Starz.
Last week, the cathedral collapsed and
its leader (Prior Philip) was demoted. Amid the rubble, Aliena
somehow gave birth to her baby. Alfred instantly recognized that he
wasn't the father and banished her. She wandered off in search of
Jack, somewhere in France.
Can all of this be resolved, when so
many villains – Walleran, King Stephen, Regan, William – loom?
That requires some extreme contrivances. Still, this is an epic
story, with enough twists, turns and heroics to hold our interest.
Other choices include:
– Katrina and oil-spill coverage, all
day. In the morning, CBS' Harry Smith anchors from New Orleans; ABC's
Rachel Roberts anchors from Pass Christian, Miss., near her home
town. Also in New Orlean: Brian Williams (NBC news), Rachel Maddow (9
p.m., MSNBC), Anderson Cooper (10 p.m., CNN).
– “If God is Willing and Da Creek
Don't Rise,” 7-11 p.m., HBO. Here's the first chance to catch Spike
Lee's massive documentary in one chunk. It starts and ends with the
Saints' Super Bowl victory, piles waves of tragedy between. Still,
Lee skillfully sprinkles in signs of humanity and hope.
– Football, 8 p.m. ET, CBS. Here's
another side of New Orleans. The Super Bowl champion Saints host the
San Diego Chargers in a pre-season game.
– “Bruce Almighty,” 8-10 p.m.,
Fox. God (perfectly played by Morgan Freeman) passes on his duties to
Bruce (Jim Carrey). The result is quite clever, with Jennifer Aniston
in support..
– “Who Do You Think You Are,” 8
p.m., NBC. Born in post-segregation Florida, Emmitt Smith had rarely
heard his family talk of the old days. In this compelling rerun, he
sees records in which his ancestors are listed among possessions; he
goes to the spot where they might have been sold.
.– “Eureka,” 9 p.m., Syfy. Carter
and others confront people from their pasts.
– “Death Comes to Town,” 10 and
10:30 p.m., Independent Film Channel. Slyly, Death had someone in
Shuckton kill the mayor. We don't know who, but clearly the widow is
taking things well. This Kids in the Hall comedy mini-series
continues for two more weeks; it's inconsistent, but has great
moments.
-- "Blood Dolphins" debut, 11 p.m., Animal Planet. The Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" -- which Animal Planet will air at 9 p.m. Sunday -- offered a chilling look at the slaughter of dolphins. No this series will continue to pursue the subject. It starts strongly, with a return to the killing cove, in Japan.