Posted on: Thursday, December 13, 2001
Tube Notes
Tonight's Must-See
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. For seven-and-a-half seasons, Eriq LaSalle has given "ER" more than it deserves. He has invested his character (Dr. Peter Benton) with a simmering intensity, despite a lack of good stories. Now comes his final episode. In a custody fight for his son, Benton is torn between work and family. Of note
"American Teacher Awards," 7 p.m., Lifetime. This is the 12th year for the awards, which started on the Disney Channel. Tonight's show offers some Hollywood glitter and music (Chaka Khan, Vitamin C). Mostly, however, it has tributes to teachers, including ones taped by Oprah Winfrey, Billy Crystal, Richard Dreyfuss and Sela Ward.
"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. With pregnancy stirring her hormones, Rachel wants a romantic partner. And the always-obliging Joey might do. Meanwhile, Ross panics when his new girlfriend, Mona, wants to include him on a Christmas card.
"Survivor: Africa," 7 p.m., CBS. The field is trimmed to seven.
"Popstars 2," 7 p.m., WB (seen on KFVE). Tonight, the new group is trimmed from six people to five.
"Maybe It's Me," 7:30 p.m., WB (seen on KFVE). Here's a rerun of an episode that has both wit and warmth. On her 16th birthday, Molly barely tolerates her family's rituals.
"The Tick," 7:30 p.m., FOX. The beauty who ignored Arthur in high school is suddenly hot for him. That may be because he has new luster as a superhero's sidekick.
"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's an episode that's oddly similar to "The Tick." The hunk who ignored Grace in school suddenly wants her; it might be because a newspaper photo gave the impression she has large breasts.
"The Amazing Race," 8 p.m., CBS. Here's the finale of a well-made reality show as teams hustle to New York to win $1 million. The network is filming a second race, but might wait until summer to air it.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 9 p.m., CBS. Grissom faces a perplexing question: Why did someone dress a corpse in an elevator?
— Mike Hughes, Gannett News Service
