Narrative detracts from ‘Widow’

It’s curious and a little sad to see handsome actor James Brolin settle into too many roles as the dotty, doting husband.

In “The Reagans” he eventually was stage-managed by his first lady.

And in tonight’s guilty-pleasure movie “Widow on the Hill” (9 p.m., Lifetime), he’s too easily manipulated by a scheming nurse.

When “Widow” commences, Brolin’s character, Hank Cavanaugh, is already dead. His rich widow, Linda Dupree (Natasha Henstridge), is under suspicion of killing him for his money and vast land holdings in Virginia’s snooty horse country.

The movie unfolds in a series of flashbacks as Linda submits to a TV interview in an attempt to spin her story for the media and the law.

Linda admits to rough-and-tumble origins, of being a biker’s wife who turned her life around and became a hospice nurse.

Her first clients were Hank and his dying wife. Now, everybody knows that hospice nurses go about their care-giving duties dressed in skintight jeans and low-cut blouses.

Her come-hither outfits arouse suspicion in Hank’s troubled daughters. For his part, Hank is simply aroused.

Scant moments after his wife’s funeral, Hank is seen squiring nurse Linda around in fur coats. When Linda reveals just how little she’s wearing under those dead pelts, we know Hank is a goner.

“Widow” is not much of a movie, but it does provide Henstridge with plenty of costume changes. She looks equally great as a biker’s moll and a society matron. She’s particularly fetching in her Sunday best at church services.

But the film suffers from a series of wild narrative lapses. Scenes that are supposed to unfold as part of Linda’s memories include dialogue between characters obviously talking about her behind her back.

Made in cooperation with the BBC, “Dirty War” (9 p.m., HBO) presents a fictionalized account of a terrorist attack on central London. Very slow to build, “War” focuses on a fireman, two anti-terrorist squad officers and the team of terrorist perpetrators.

On a similar theme, Jack prepares to go it alone on “24” (9 p.m., Fox). What else is new?

If you’ve been watching this series, as I have, you’ve barely had time to catch your breath. If you haven’t, tonight’s action begins with Jack at the perimeter of a terrorist hideout containing the kidnapped secretary of defense (William Devane) and his daughter, Audrey (Kim Raver), who just happens to be Jack’s main squeeze. He’s got just seconds to rescue them before the U.S. Air Force bombs the place with a guided missile.

If this superior series has betrayed one false note, it’s the behavior of the teenage son of the scheming terrorists. He seems just too well-adjusted to be going along with his folks’ murderous plans. Then again, he still has 19 weeks – make that hours – to redeem himself.

Other highlights

Renovations appear to be one room off on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: How’d They Do That?” (8 p.m., ABC).

Unsettling family news on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (9 p.m., CBS).

A dangerous blast from Ed’s past on “Las Vegas” (9 p.m., NBC).

Host Josh Bernstein explores ancient mysteries on “Digging for the Truth” (9 p.m., History).

The 2004 documentary “Control Room” (10 p.m., Sundance) looks at the Arab satellite-news network Al Jazeera.

Allison’s daughter appears to share her spooky gift on “Medium” (10 p.m., NBC).

Spoilt Colorado brats meet their match on “Supernanny” (10 p.m., ABC).

Cult choice

A good-old boy (Burt Reynolds) stays one step ahead of the law (Jackie Gleason) with the help of a good woman (Sally Field) in the 1977 comedy “Smokey and the Bandit” (8 and 10 p.m. and midnight, AMC).

Series notes

Spats without end on “Still Standing” (8 p.m., CBS) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC) … Parallel wives on “Trading Spouses” (8 p.m., Fox, TV) … Arnaz needs help on “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN) … Lucy’s blessed event on “7th Heaven” (8 p.m., WB).

Competitive gifting on “Listen Up” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … Dee Dee’s beau has baggage on “Half & Half” (8:30 p.m., UPN).

Roses are bestowed on “The Bachelorette” (9 p.m., ABC) … Mommy dearest on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … Jake’s girlfriend pops in on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB) … Charlie meets his match (Jeri Ryan) on “Two and a Half Men” (9:30 p.m., CBS) … Old friends on “Second Time Around” (9:30 p.m., UPN) … A minor’s death sparks a major scandal on “CSI: Miami” (10 p.m., CBS).