ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: James Herriot’s beloved books about the people and pets he met as a veterinarian in Yorkshire in the 1930s were adapted into a very successful miniseries once before, starring Christopher Timothy as Herriot, and co-starring Robert Hardy and Peter Davison. But that was back in 1978, several TV lifetimes ago (shortly after I started as a TV critic – that long ago). Here comes a new version, which already has been renewed for a second season, and which stars newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot, and co-stars Samuel West – with a supporting role (her last) from Diana Rigg, as Mrs. Pumphrey, owner of a pampered Pekingese. Check local listings. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower, and get more info at Mike Hughes' Open Mike.