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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Father dreams of rodeo title for daughter in Hallmark film

By MIKE HUGHES Gannett News Service

Tonight’s must-see

“Every Second Counts,” 9-11 p.m., Hallmark Channel.

Here is a TV movie crafted with subtlety and skill.

Let’s give some credit to two, gifted Canadians, director John Bradshaw and teen actress Magda Apanowicz.

And give a lot of credit to a superb performance by Stephen Collins. He plays Joe, a complex character. Joe is a decent man who loves his wife and their daughter Brooke (Magda Apanowicz). He also obsesses about the notion of Brooke being a rodeo champ, as he once was.

This is light years from the urbane roles Collins usually plays. The result is richly human and emotional.

Tonight’s must-see II

“I Love the New Millennium,” 2-10 p.m., VH1.

If you missed this fun series last week, catch it now.

Sure, it’s hasty to already have nostalgia about the 21st century. Still, that’s the charm: It’s fun to see how quickly a popular thing can seem silly.

Sunday’s must-see

“Earth: The Biography,” 9 p.m., National Geographic Channel.

The start of this three-night, five-hour series shimmers with stunning pictures.

The first hour shows volcanoes, the second shows ice. Iain Stewart, a Scottish geologist, shows how both forces had a profound effect in shaping the planet and controlling its temperature and its chemicals.

Sunday’s might-see

“Big Brother” opener, 8 p.m., CBS; then Miss Universe Pageant, 9-11 p.m., NBC.

If you feel network TV should be live and real, here’s a full night of it.

“Big Brother,” which had an extra edition to fill the strike void, starts its summer run. Tonight, Julie Chen introduces the 10 housemates.

Then the Miss Universe pageant airs from Vietnam. Jerry Springer and Melanie Brown (Mel B of the Spice Girls) host.

Other choices include

“Picture This,” 8 and 10 p.m., Family. Ashley Tisdale plays an unpopular girl who lands a date with the hottest guy in school. Now she has two powerful forces — her own dad and his ex-girlfriend — to overcome.

PBS’ “Masterpiece Theatre: Foyle’s War: Plan of Attack,” 9 p.m., KCDT. We last saw Foyle as a small-town police chief during World War II. He resigned under pressure and insisted he won’t return. Now two deaths stun him.

“Generation Kill” debut, 9 p.m., HBO. You’ll have to stick with this miniseries. Based on a Rolling Stone reporter’s account, it follows a Marine team early in the Iraq War. At first, the characters are hard to tell apart or to care about. As you get to know them, their offbeat styles become interesting.

“In Plain Sight,” 10 p.m., USA Network. In a fairly good episode, a doctor is stunned by what is required to be with his teen daughter in the witness protection program: He must give up his practice, his specialty, much of what he’s worked for.