Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "The Daily Show," 8 p.m., Comedy Central. Even on an ordinary night (8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays), this fake newscast is often hilarious. Now comes something that should be even better. It's the fifth-anniversary special, mixing new items and old clips.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II (Network TV): "My Wife and Kids," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. For a while TV seemed dazed and confused. With a few exceptions, it had forgotten how to make a comedy that includes a traditional family. It had also forgotten how to make a mainstream show that has black stars. In short, things had disintegrated from the days when the quiet wit of "The Cosby Show" dominated TV. Fortunately, "My Wife and Kids" counters that trend. It's an above-average show with smart characters in believable situations. Now the show returns for a batch of reruns in the timeslot it will hold this fall. In tonight's first episode, the dad (Damon Wayans) grumbles about his wife (Tisha Campbell) working full-time; in the second their son is bullied by a neighbor.
"The Roman Empire in the First Century," 8-10 p.m., PBS. Here's the second half of an epic documentary that's filled with lush photography and fascinating human details. As tonight's show begins, a military overthrow seems to rescue Rome from madness. Alas, maneuvering leads to more schemes then murder, then the collapse of Nero's era. Rome survives — even ending the century with hints of a fair and democratic society.
"Living Out Loud," 8 p.m., TNT. Here's an ambitious attempt to portray the quiet angst of loneliness. Writer-director Richard LaGravenese has created deeply layered characters. Holly Hunter is superb in the title role and is surrounded by dynamite supporting players. That includes Queen Latifah as a terrific nightclub singer and Eddie Cibrian in a brief-but-notable role as a nearly naked masseur.
"The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. The president's nominee for the Supreme Court must be bailed out of jail in this rerun.
"Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," 9 p.m., WB (seen on KFVE). Here's another chance to see the season finale, which ended darkly. Most years, WB would save this rerun until the end of the summer. Now, however, it wants the world to forget "Buffy" before the show jumps to the UPN network this fall.
"Vanished," 9 p.m., ABC. This summertime series looks at missing-person cases. Tonight's story involves the 1982 disappearance of a wealthy woman who was a medical student.
