Three decades after "The Graduate," the word "plastics"is still a punch line. For some it was even a pejorative. President Richard M. Nixon never forgave critics for calling the first lady, "Plastic Pat." Frank Zappa decried the rise of "plastic people." Could he have been on to something?
"Trade Secrets: A Bill Moyers Report" (8 p.m., PBS, check local listings) makes serious allegations against some of America's biggest chemical corporations, charging them with conspiring to cover-up evidence that the synthetic substances in plastics and other household items are dangerous to their workers and to consumers.
Like the investigators in the drama "Erin Brockovich," Moyers and others use internal corporate memos to show that executives knew of many dangers but chose to ignore them and lie about them. Powerful stuff.
l Any excuse to hear some great old songs is a cause for celebration. Just don't expect much fireworks from the new TV adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific" (7 p.m., ABC).
Except for the razzle-dazzle stage show put on by nurse Nellie Forbush (Glenn Close) and Luther Billis (Robert Pastorelli), none of the musical numbers manage to kick up their heels. The first song-and-dance routine for "There is Nothing Like a Dame" seems particularly uninspired on the small screen.
But even the liveliest camera work and choreography could never convince us that there was the slightest fizzle of chemistry between romantic leads Nellie and French planter Emile de Becque (Rade Sherbedgia). And their affair seems positively torrid compared to the comatose coupling of Lt. Joseph Cable (Harry Connick Jr.) and island girl Liat (Natalie Mendoza). Connick's acting and singing performances are particularly laidback. If his rendition of "You've Got to be Carefully Taught" was any mellower, you'd feel compelled to check his pulse.
Today's other highlights
l The documentary "Carpet Slaves: Stolen Children of India" on "Cinemax Reel Life" (6 p.m., Cinemax) looks at the practice of kidnapping children from poor areas and forcing them to work on rugs and other products that are sold in the United States and other developed countries. There are an estimated 300,000 children working in these squalid conditions.
l Ray feels like a wimp on a repeat of "Everybody Loves Raymond" (8 p.m., CBS).
l Ally and Larry discuss moving in together on "Ally McBeal" (8 p.m., Fox).
l Families dare to spend the night in spooky surroundings on the series "Scariest Places on Earth" (8 p.m., Family), hosted by Linda Blair. The series will air every night this week, and then assume its regular Friday night time slot on April 6.
l Two daughters fight to clear their father of murder charges arising from the death of their mother on "48 Hours" (9 p.m., CBS).
Series notes
l "Public" and "First Years" are new ... Thanksgiving memories on "King of Queens" (7 p.m., CBS) ... Critters of all kinds on "The Crocodile Hunter" (7 p.m., NBC) ... Locker thefts spark tight surveillance on "Boston Public" (7 p.m., Fox) ... Caught on a hidden camel on "Moesha" (7 p.m., UPN) ... Mary breaks her silence on "7th Heaven" (7 p.m., WB).
A trip to a dance performance on "Yes, Dear" (7:30 p.m., CBS) ... Family finance on "The Hughleys" (7:30 p.m., UPN).
Taking on a big drug firm on "First Years" (8 p.m. NBC) ... A skeleton in the family tree on "The Parkers" (8 p.m., UPN) ...Rory feels awkward at her own party on "Gilmore Girls" (8 p.m., WB).
Cold turkey on "Becker" (8:30 p.m., CBS).
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