| 7 | 7:30 | 8 | 9:30 | 9 | 9:30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox | King of the Hill | Malcolm in the Middle | Simpsons | Arrested Development | My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss | |
| NBC | Dateline NBC | American Dreams | Law & Order | |||
| Game Show | Extreme Dodgeball | |||||
| Noggin | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | |||||
-
© Fox
King of the Hill
Fox, 7pm
Everyone can identify with a little chunk of the Hill world, whether it's Hank's exasperation, Peggy's authority, Bobby's confusion or one of the neighbors' wackiness. This witty cartoon sitcom is the Everybody Loves Raymond of cartoons, but the show also has a Seinfeld-like ability to merge several storylines in one episode, bringing them all together in a poignant ending.
-
©Fox
Malcolm in the Middle
Fox, 9pm
"The best thing about childhood is... at some point it stops." Or at least that's Malcolm's philosophy while stuck with his squabbling brothers and parents. Star Frankie Muniz has a unique brand of cynical wit that keeps things interesting, especially when Malcolm suddenly finds himself in a gifted class full of social misfits. This show is harmless and entertaining, and has maintained its balance even as the boys grow up.
-
©NBC
American Dreams
NBC, 8pm
America is nostalgia crazy, and maybe that's why this show is so popular. Or maybe it's just because American Dreams is a thoughtful, well-written series that provides a good springboard for parent-kid discussion. Set against a backdrop of '60s music, culture clashes and the Vietnam War, national headlines are made personal through the struggles of the Pryor family of Philadelphia. It's all set to an American Bandstand beat (thanks to executive producer Dick Clark), with current performers like Usher and Kelly Clarkson appearing as '60s stars.
Jane Louise Boursaw writes a syndicated column, Reel Life with Jane, about movies and television. For more info, visit her Website www.reellifewithjane.com.
