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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

John Corbett and Nia Vardalos in a scene from the motion picture “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"American Masters: John James Audubon: Drawn From Nature," 9 p.m., PBS. John James Audubon became a hero to many nature lovers. His brilliant paintings brought the bird world alive — but Audubon killed thousands of birds. He would shoot one, then pose and paint the carcass. Amid a near famine, he led the mass killing of hordes of carrier pigeons. Eventually, Audubon would doubt himself; repulsed by his visits to European cities, he began to speak out for preserving wild America. Then again, it's hard to tell what Audubon believed. He changed his stories often. The illegitimate son of a French ship captain and a chambermaid, he made up personal histories. Historians do know that Audubon was once a thriving businessman. He went bankrupt and lost everything, including his wife's heirlooms. No one wanted his paintings, though; he used them to rebuild his life. He also had a passionate love for his wife. He died at 65, but she lived on in poverty. Many of the copper plates for his master engravings were melted before someone realized these were treasures. It's a great story, beautifully told.

OF NOTE

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002), 7 and 9 p.m., ABC Family. Nia Vardalos' one-woman show was translated into a rare film that works on two levels. It's a light family comedy about merging couples. It's also a smart independent film peppered with wry commentaries.

"The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?" 7 p.m., ABC. It's time for the finals, with $100,000 and a title at stake.

"So You Think You Can Dance," 7 p.m., Fox. There are 10 terrific dancers left. On Thursday, two will be eliminated.

"King of Queens," 7 and 7:30 p.m., CBS. In the first rerun, Doug feigns a mid-life crisis. In truth, he's mainly troubled by his fear of a monster roller coaster. In the second, he finds he has more in common with Deacon's wife than with his own wife, Carrie — who has a lot in common with Deacon.

"Rescue Me," 7 p.m., FX. There are mixed feelings because the new fireman was promised he wouldn't have to do any of the usual probation-time chores.

"Criminal Minds," 8 p.m., CBS. A serial killer seems to focus heavily on one type of victim in this rerun, then takes a six-week break and changes targets.

"The Great American Inventor," 8 p.m., ABC. The six finalists pitch their creations; then three are given $50,000 each for prototypes.

"Last Comic Standing," 8 p.m., NBC. It's time for the second round of semifinals.

"CSI: NY," 9 p.m., CBS. In this rerun, a translator is killed. Diplomatic issues slow the investigators.