Hank Wiliams featured on Masters’
Hanks Williams is to country music what Van Gogh is to painting in at least one way – he wrote the story for all the tortured artists in the medium.
Physical problems – spina bifida – and a long separation from his father meant a difficult childhood. Lonesome. But he learned country songs from his white neighbors and friends and the blues from a black street musician who taught him guitar. His distinctive blend of these influences rocketed him to fame in his twenties, with hits like “Move It On Over,” “Honky Tonkin’,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “A Mansion on the Hill,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Jambalaya,” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” But physical pain, career pressures, failed relationships, booze and drugs sent him into a downward spiral, and he died at age 29.
Tonight on “American Masters,” on KSPS at 7, “Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues” examines the man and his music. With rare performance tapes, home movies and interviews with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris and Keith Richards.
Highlights
“Summer of a Billion Tears,” ABC at 8: Oh, right, it’s supposed to be “laughs.” Well, it’s going to take more than just a promotion to make me watch two “My Wife and Kids” repeats, two new episodes of the totally played-out “Drew Carey Show” and an hour of “The Ultimate Love Test.”
“60 Minutes,” CBS at 8: Questions about the treatment of suspected terrorists at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“T.H.E.M.,” NBC at 8: Premiere. A gang of magicians called T.H.E.M — Totally Hidden Extreme Magic — performs surprise magic acts on unsuspecting pedestrians, and it’s all caught on hidden camera! I know, I know, try to contain your excitement.
“Star Trek: Enterprise,” UPN at 8: Archer must rescue Hoshi from a telepathic alien after he allowed her to visit in exchange for crucial information on the Xindi.
“Love & Basketball” (2000), WB at 8: Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps star as two young athletes trying to handle their feelings for each other while they pursue their basketball careers. Better than it sounds.
“Quintuplets,” Fox at 8:30: Flu strikes the household. While you watch, try to understand why the hilarious Andy Richter felt he had to take a job on this lousy, predictable, cookie-cutter sitcom.
“The Simple Life 2: Road Trip,” Fox at 9: Paris and Nicole get jobs as maids at a nudist colony.
“Method & Red,” Fox at 9:30: A magazine writer comes to the crib to chill and write a profile.
“48 Hours Investigates,” CBS at 10: Why are people afraid of lawyer Catherine Shelton? The network promises “a story of murder, betrayal and Texas justice.”
Family Fare
“Beetlejuice” (1988), Sci Fi at 7: Weak night for family shows, but this PG-rated ghost story from Tim Burton is very funny. Stars Michael Keaton as one wacky ghoul and Winona Ryder as a depressed girl who finds empowerment in getting goth-ed out.
Cable Cast
Baseball, ESPN at 4: Game to be announced, followed at 7 by an NBA draft special.
“Six Feet Under,” HBO at 9: Repeat of Sunday’s episode, as George’s presence irks Arthur, and Keith gets a new job in celebrity security.
“Into Character,” AMC at 10: This week’s superfan wants to recreate a scene from “La Bamba” (1987).