What's on TV
Pick of the Week
From the Earth to the Moon Sunday, April 5
8-8:55 p.m. (HBO)
RON BATZDORFF/HBO
SUNDAY 4/5
The Wonderful World of Disney: Tourist Trap (ABC, 7-9 p.m.): When Dad buys a motor home and wrangles his family into it for a three-week vacation, rebellion breaks out in the ranks. It doesn't help much that Dad keeps up a running dialogue with a Civil War-era relative. Richard Benjamin directs this sweet, quirky comedy about a family discovering just how functional it really is - and how heroic the daily attentions of a good father are. (TV-G)
From the Earth to the Moon (HBO, 8-8:55 p.m.): Andrew Chaikin's engaging and thorough book "A Man on the Moon" is the basis for this brilliant 12-part miniseries. With the accomplishments of the Apollo missions at the center of each story, the series manages to show some of the human cost, and the cause of and effect on world events. Executive producer Tom Hanks, who is the series' guiding star as well as its host, unifies the various episodes with his genial commentary. (TV-PG)
Tom Jones (A&E, 8-10 p.m.). Based on Henry Fielding's rambunctious 18th-century novel, the six-hour series concerns a foundling (delightful Max Beesley) raised as a gentleman whose heart of gold can't seem to keep him out of trouble - especially when it comes to the ladies. The satiric Mr. Fielding himself (played with great wit by John Sessions) acts as narrator. Though it deals with adult issues, it's tame by today's standards - and, remarkably, right prevails in the end. Some partial nudity. Parts 2 and 3 air 9-11 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. (TV-PG)
MONDAY 4/6
Teletubbies (PBS, 10:30-11 a.m.): "Eh-oh." In Teletubbyland, this means hello. Imported from Britain, the popular weekday children's program makes its debut in the United States. The fun, gentle show, intended for kids from age 1, features four creatures - Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po, and Tinky Winky.
Getting Personal (Fox, 8:30-9 p.m.): First the good part: This series will marginally adjust the color balance of prime-time shows, with a multiracial cast. The bad part: It's unlikely it will fare well in the Nielsen ratings. Barbs are repeatedly aimed below the belt or above the navel in a lurid way. Vivica A. Fox, Duane Martin, and Jon Cryer star in this office sitcom that says it is difficult to keep one's professional and personal life separate. Elliott Gould, Nancy Cassaro, and Reggie Hayes costar. (TV-PG, D)
Frontline - From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians (PBS, 9-11 p.m.): This documentary re-creates the world of the 1st century with great care. Fully engaging though the film is, there are moments when scholars make assertions bordering on theology - which is bound to grate for some. Still, the investigations into ancient Hebrew and Roman cultures of Jesus' era are fascinating. The conclusion airs 9-11 p.m. Tuesday.
Connections3 (TLC, 9-11 p.m.): Award-winning journalist James Burke hops around the globe connecting science and history. This series is remarkably informative with snappy storytelling, graphics, sound effects, and lively historical reenactments. Continues tomorrow. (TV-G)
THURSDAY 4/9
The Masters (USA, 4-6:30 p.m.): Last year, Tiger Woods burned brightly on the fairways of golf's elite event. But now Woods has gone winless in 14 consecutive PGA Tour events. Will he return to form at the Masters? Or will Ernie Els and Justin Leonard upstage him? Action continues tomorrow, same time.
