Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"The Company," 5 p.m., TNT; reruns at 10 p.m. and midnight. Last week, we met Jack (Chris O'Donnell), an idealistic CIA recruit. Tonight, he's in two adventures — the Hungarian uprising and the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. In both cases, he's a lone American, surrounded by people who are sure that U.S. troops will offer support. These are tough, depressing stories. Still, they're so brilliantly crafted by Danish-born director Mikael Salomon that we keep watching — and keep looking forward to next Sunday's film, wrapping up Jack's story.
Football, 2 p.m., NBC. The season is still four weeks away, but here's a warm-up for the Sunday-night crew. Al Michaels and John Madden call the Seattle at San Diego game. Andrea Kremer is on the sidelines, with a studio team of Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Keith Olbermann, Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber.
OF NOTE
"Bridezillas," 6 p.m., WE. Last week, viewers met Tasha, who wants things to be just right. Now comes the wedding day: Ties and guests are missing; bridesmaids are late.
"John From Cincinnati," 6 p.m., HBO. This strange series wraps up its first season, with a ragged parade through Imperial Beach. Also, there's good news for Butchie and Kai.
"Entourage," 7 p.m., HBO. This comedy is at its best when focusing on Ari, the overwrought agent. Last week had great moments as he battled twin employees; tonight, he's upset when his wife gets to return to her old soap-opera role. Meanwhile, Eric thinks a romance is possible, after his car bumps Anna Faris' car.
"The Simpsons," 8 p.m., Fox. In a rerun, Bart becomes a baseball hero and a villain. Also, Homer has misadventures as a mattress salesman.
"Diana: Last Days of a Princess," 8 and 10 p.m., TLC. This film blends scripted portions (with Genevieve O'Reilly as Diana) and documentary. Using material from interviews and from the 832-page Paget Report, it covers the 12-week stretch before her death on Aug. 31, 1997. The story looks at her relationships with a British surgeon and with Dodi Al Fayed.
"Desperate Housewives," 8 p.m, ABC. Gabrielle's engagement party competes with distractions — including the excitement over the body in Mrs. McCluskey's freezer.
"Cold Case," 8 p.m., CBS. Officials rethink a 1982 case that originally was ruled sudden infant death syndrome.
"Shark," 9 p.m., CBS. Shortly after a party attended mainly by rich, white teens (including Stark's daughter), a black girl from another school was killed by a car.