Mike Hughes on TV

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Call Me Crazy,”
8-10 p.m., Lifetime.

“Five” was one of the best TV film
in recent years, brilliantly entwining five short films about cancer.
Now the same producers have made an even better film on mental
illness.

These shorts were directed by actresses
Ashley Judd, Laura Dern, Bonnie Hunt and Bryce Dallas Howard and
director Sharon Maguire. Each packs great visual and emotional
intensity.

The performances – including one that
connects three of the films – range from quietly inward (Brittany
Snow) to spectacularly outward (Melissa Leo, Sofia Vassilieva). Each
is perfect.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “Mary and
Martha,” 8-9:45 p.m., HBO.

In an odd quirks, two of the best films
of this season (or any season) air simultaneously.

Martha O'Connell is based loosely on a
British woman who campaigns for international malaria aid. Her story
links with a fictional one of a rich American. As played (superbly)
by Oscar-winners Brenda Blethyn and Hilary Swan, they are delightful
opposites, linking together.

In the past, Richard Curtis has written
lots of light fun, from “Bean” to “Love, Actually” to “Pirate
Radio.” Still, he's passionate about rich nations helping others;
he propelled “Idol Gives Back,” preached in “The Girl in the
Cafe” and here has written a quietly moving movie.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE:“Castle,” 9
and 10 p.m., ABC.

Here's a rerun of a solid two-parter
that adds an emotional kick.

When a rich girl is kidnapped, Richard
Castle realizes his daughter was also taken. Soon, Alexis Castle
finds herself on a European rooftop. Fortunately, she has her dad's
knack for quick-thinking.

Other choices include:

– “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 8 p.m.,
CBS. After an ambush attempt on Jada Khaled, the team tries to find
the culprit. That forces Sam to meet Jada for the first time since he
returned from the Sudan.

– More movies, 8 p.m., cable. Here's
some variety, alongside the great dramas mentioned above. There's a
popular Disney cartoon – “Tangled” (2010), on ABC Family –
and one of the all-time best adventures, Steven Spielberg's “Raiders
of the Lost Ark” (1981) on Spike.

– “Vegas,” 9 p.m., CBS. In a late change, CBS has replaced a "Mentalist" rerun with this new episode: Savino (Michael Chiklis) must decide what to do with a gambler's body that was found in a suite of the hotel.

– “Smash,” 9 p.m., NBC.
“Bombshell,” the Marilyn Monroe musical, is finally opening on
Broadway. All is fine … except the star (Megan Hilty) has an attack
of nerves … the producer (Anjelica Huston) has a troubled
relationship with an arts editor … and the former star (Katharine
McPhee) has a rocky time with her boyfriend. They're doing another
show together and he opens up about his troubled past.

– “Orphan Black,” 9 p.m., BBC
America. Sarah (the drifter) now knows she's one of many clones …
including one who's trying to kill the others. Impersonating Beth
(the dead cop), Sarah was attacked by the killer, then lied and said
it was a man. Tonight's strong hour brings another confrontation.

– “Saturday Night Live,” 10 and
11:29 p.m., NBC. First is a rerun of last week's episode, one of the
few disappointments in an excellent season. There were some good
sketches – memory-lapsed actors, weak gun control – but Vince
Vaughn's improvised opener was lame; so, surprisingly, were both
“Weekend Update” guests. Then Chrisoph Waltz hosts a better rerun
with music from Alabama Shakes.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Happy Endings,”
8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC.

A week before the season-finale of this
erratic-but-fun show, Max has no job and few hopes. In the opener,
friends are tired of him sponging; in the second, an old nemesis
(Mark-Paul Gosselaar) wants to sabotage his life … then decide it's
already so low that it's “un-sabotagable.”

Also in the first episode, Penny –
fresh from calling off her wedding with Pete – dates the “car
czar.”

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “Chasing Ice,”
8 p.m., National Geographic; reruns at 9:30.

James Balog set up 26 time-lapse
cameras in the most unforgiving parts of Greenland, Iceland, Alaska
and Montana. They could provide specific proof of global warming and
glacial decline.

“Ice” spends much of its time –
too much – following the preparations. Still, it gives us enough
gorgeous pictures to balance its grim tidings. The loveliest moments
come during the closing credits, with still photos accompanied by
part of an Oscar-nominated song, sung by Scarlett Johansson.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “The Dark
Knight” (2008), 8-11 p.m., TNT; or “Da Vinci's Demons,” 9 p.m.,
Starz, rerunning at 10.

David Goyer competes with himself, with
two projects offering epic stories and visuals.

Goyer wrote “Batman Begins” and set
the basic stories for this sequel – which has Heath Ledger's
superb, Oscar-winning work as Joker – and a third film.

His “Demons” turns Leonardo da
Vinci into superhero type who can also paint. Goyer overemphasizes
torture, impossible odds and philosophy just this side of
mumbo-jumbo. Once you're past that, you have a visually and
emotionally strong hour with an explosive scene that wraps things
neatly.

Other choices include:

– “When in Rome” (2010) and “You
Again” (2009), 7 and 9 p.m., AFC Family. Kristen Bell is a terrific
actress who ran into a stretch of so-so movies; that happens. The
first one adds pretty settings and Josh Duhamel, the second adds
Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver, but both are merely so-so.

– “Return to Nim's Island”
(2013), 8-10 p.m., Hallmark. Bindi Irwin – whose late father was
Steve Irwin, the “crocodile hunter” – has spent most of her 14
years around nature. She's at ease in this adequate family film about
two teens trying to save their island from bad guys.

– “Live From the Lincoln Center,”
9 p.m., PBS (check local listings). Classical meet Broadway, in the
intimacy of the Allen Room. Stephanie Blythe, a mezzo-soprano, does
the music sung by Kate Smith, including “We'll Meet Again,” “Look
For the Silver Lining” and, of course, “God Bless America.”

– “Grimm,” 9 p.m., NBC. More
trouble looms for Portland: A volcano may cover it with lava.

– News special, 9 p.m., CBS. In a late change, CBS is inserting this Boston overview. The "Vegas" episode that would have aired here has moved to Saturday .

– “Hawaii Five-0,” 10 p.m., CBS. Here's another late CBS change. This rerun replace the "Blue Bloods" one that was schduled.

TONIGHT'S MUST SEE: “The Big Bang
Theory,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS.

It's an all-rerun night for CBS, but
the network is making it fun. It slides “Person of Interest” back
an hour, making room for more laughs, including two episodes of TV's
best comedy.

In the first, Sheldon is accused of
sexual harassment; he soon gets his friends in trouble. In the
second, he overhears that Penny might break up with Leonard; also,
Howard is mocked by fellow astronauts.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE: “Hannibal,”
10:01 p.m., NBC.

By this third episode, two things are
clear: “Hannibal” is a cable-quality show, beautifully written,
directed and acted. Second, it's serialized; unlike the opener,
tonight's hour lacks closure.

The serial killer is dead, but there
are suspicions that his daughter helped him. FBI consultant Will
Graham takes her back to her home in Minnesota, hoping for clues …
and finds new tragedies. He's joined by his colleague Hannibal Lecter
… who, viewers know, will also become a serial killer.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “Which Way is
the Front Line From Here?” 8-9:30 p.m., HBO.

Early in 2011, Tim Hetherington and
Sebastian Junger were covered with well-deserved praise. Their
“Restrepo” – a vivid portrait of soldiers in Afghanistan –
had received raves and an Oscar nomination.

But Hetherington , 40, was restless.
Ever since graduating from Oxford, he had traveled the world, as a
visitor and then as a renowned photographer. On April 20, 2011, he
was killed in an explosion while shooting the Libyan rebellion. Now
Junger has retraced his friend's life with depth and quiet emotion.

Other choices include:

– “American Idol,” 8 p.m., Fox.
Now things get serious: The five women (all impressive) remain, the
five men (none impressive) are gone; barring a rule change, the
“save” is no longer available. First are performances by the
third-season champion (Fantasia) and second-season runner-up (Clay
Aiken).

– “The Office,” 8:30 p.m., NBC.
Nudged a half-hour earlier than usual, the show reruns its
season-opener. Andy vows revenge on Nellie; two new guys – dubbed
“new Jim” and “Andy Jr.” – arrive.

– “Two and a Half Men,” 8:31
p.m., CBS. A rerun catches Walden torn between Rose and Zoey.

– “2 Broke Girls,” 9 p.m., CBS.
This transplanted rerun finds Sophie becoming a silent partner in the
cupcake company, instantly clashing with Caroline.

– “Parks and Recreation,” 9 and
9:31 p.m., NBC. In the first episode, Leslie tries to dump outdated
town ordinances. In the second, she frets about the right retirement
gift for Jerry.

– “Glee,” 9 p.m., Fox. After
learning that this year's theme for regionals is “dreams,” the
glee club ponders what to sing. Meanwhile, Rachel auditions for a
“Funny Girl” revival on Broadway. Idina Menzel returns as her
birth mother Shelby; NeNe Leakes returns as Coach Roz.

– “Men at Work,” 10 p.m., TBS.
After a weak start, this episode get a big boost from Peri Gilpin –
Roz in “Frasier,” Payson's mom in “Make It or Break It,”
Russell's wife in “CSI” – as the new boss. The guys promptly
botch chances for a good first impression; that includes hilarious
elevator scenes.

– “Scandal,” 10:02 p.m., ABC.
This rerun finds Olivia in the rare position of fighting the White
House. Her client (Lisa Edelstein of “House”) is a CEO, accused
of an affair with the Supreme Court nominee.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “How to Live With
Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life”), 9:31 p.m., ABC.

When she meets the hottest guy from her
college years, Polly decides to revise her life story. She won't tell
him she's a divorced coffee-shop worker, living with her parents and
her daughter; instead, she's a prosperous environmentalist who lets
her parents stay in her gorgeous home.

Then comes the chaos of an Oscar party
… and her daughter's first sleepover at the ex-husband's place.
Secrets and surprises pour out, alongside laughs and a fight over a
scale-model comedy club.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “American
Idol,” 8-10 p.m., Fox.

Yes, there was a time when women won on
“Idol.” Viewers will remember that Thursday, when Fantasia (the
show's third winner) performs. They were reminded last Thursday by
Kelly Clarkson and a week earlier by Carrie Underwood – the first
and fourth winners. And by the voting results.

In five weeks, viewers have dumped all
five men, with judges refusing to use their save. All five female
finalists remain; next month, one will become the first woman to win
in six years.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “Nature” and
“Nova,” 8 and 9 p.m., PBS (catch local listings).

First is a portrait of eels, viewed in
many ways. People catch them in Maine, breed them in China, devour
them in Japan, consider them vital to the native culture in New
Zealand. It's an interesting subject, semi-marred by flat narration.

Then comes the second of four hours on
Australia's natural history. Four billion years zipped by in the
first hour, so now it's time for creatures to try land. In a vast
desert, on the globe's driest planet, we see some of the earliest
fossils of sea creatures. The settings are as spectacular as the
story being told.

Other choices include:

– “Survivor,” 8 p.m., CBS. So
far, the “Fans vs. Favorites” concept has been a mismatch: Seven
of the 10 “favorites” remain; with Michael Snow's ouster last
week, only three “fans” remain. But CBS says revelations at
tonight's tribal council could disrupt things; also, an injury
endangers one contestant.

– “Suburgatory” season-finale, 8
and 8:30 p.m., ABC. Always interesting and sometimes funny,
“Suburgatory” is best when its plot is busy. That happens
tonight, as Tessa's dad struggles to tell her he's sold their house;
they'll be living with Dallas and with Tessa's enemy Dalia. That's
followed by a few laughs, some key plot shifts and a reminder that
Jeremy Sisto is a terrific drama actor.

– “Modern Family,” 9 p.m., ABC.
In a rerun, Cam is directing the school's “Phantom of the Opera.”
When the star is ill, Manny is desperate for the part, even if it
means nudging Luke aside.

– “Frost/Nixon” (2008), 9-11
p.m., Ion. When David Frost landed TV rights to interview Richard
Nixon, expectations were low. Frost was a witty comedian with a
playboy reputation, unlikely to match an ex-president. He floundered,
then got serious; it's a great story, beautifully told by writer
Peter Morgan. Like Morgan's “The Queen,” it drew Oscar
nominations for his script and for best picture. Others were for
director Ron Howard and Frank Langella, playing Nixon opposite
Michael Sheen.

– “Elementary,” 10 p.m., CBS. In
a transplanted rerun, a seemingly impenetrable vault has been beaten.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “In Performance
at the White House,” 8 p.m., PBS (check local listings).

Memphis was once the center of the
blues and soul world. The Stax record label and its subsidiaries
triumphed with Otis Redding, Mavis Staples, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas
and more.

Now that music is celebrated by people
ranging from Sam Moore, 77, to “American Idol” alumnus Joshua
Ledet, 20. Booker T. Jones leads the band, backing many of the
originals—Staples, William Bell, guitarist Steve Cropper and
harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite. They're joined by Memphis native
Justin Timberlake, plus Alabama Shakes, Queen Latifah, Ben Harper and
Cyndi Lauper.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “The Central
Park Five,” 9-11 p.m., PBS.

Fresh from the multi-racial joy of the
White House concert, we go in the opposite direction.

In 1989, crime and fear had soared in
New York City. Then a young corporate-finance officer was raped and
left for dead in Central Park. She was white, a Wellesley and Yale
alumna from a wealthy family; the five suspects were black and Latino
teens.

They were convicted amid noisy rage; 13
years later, they were exonerated amid quiet reactions. It's a
compelling story, superbly told by new filmmaker Sarah Burns, her
father Ken and David McMahon.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “The '80s”
conclusion, 9-11 p.m., National Geographic.

Desperate to exit East Germany,
Hans-Peter Spitzner approached a stranger (visiting U.S.soldier Eric
Yaw) and asked if he could hide in the trunk with his 7-year-old
daughter. Yaw agreed; his hidden passengers were reportedly the last
escapees through Checkpoint Charlie.

Ten weeks later, in November of 1989,
the Berlin Wall came down, offering an appropriate finish to a decade
of change. Such stories wrap up this excellent, three-night series.
The previous night reruns at 7 p.m. and both nights rerun together,
from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. The full series will rerun Saturday.

Other choices include:

– “Awkward,” 10 a.m. to 11:03
p.m., MTV. Things start with the weirdly funny pilot film, when an
odd accident makes people think wallflower Jenna tried suicide. The
other reruns follow, leading to the third-season opener (10 p.m.);
Jenna ponders a wild summer, a death and a post-high-school future.

– “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 8 p.m.,
CBS. The two “NCIS” shows have switched spots for tonight's
reruns. This one wrap up a two-parter involving the search for a
ring of Russian super-agents.

– “NCIS,” 9 p.m., CBS. In a
rerun, a hacker may be the key to finding the most-wanted
cyber-terrorist.

– “DancingWith the Stars,” 9
p.m., ABC. By the end of the hour, we'll learn who is the fourth
person gone. First, however, there will be young singers – Selena
Gomez, The Band Perry and Kerli.

– “Who Gets the Last Laugh”
opener, 10 p.m., TBS. A temp worker is put in charge of an envelope
with $100,0000 … which disappears. A club-goer emerges to find her
car covered with goop; a driver is pulled over by eccentric cops.
Yes, we're in practical-joke turf. The jokesters are celebrities
(Bill Bellamy, Jeff Dye, Kunal Nayyar), the targets are not and the
stunts are only moderately clever.

– “Body of Proof,” 10:01 p.m.,
ABC. A Bernie Madoff-type financier has cheated clients out of a
billion dollars. As he emerges from court, he's kidnapped … and a
video claims he's been killed.