Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. Last week, we saw Sean Penn as the boyfriend of Ursula, who is Phoebe's nasty sister. (Yes, Penn can do comedy; remember "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"?) Tonight, they've broken up and Phoebe tries to comfort him. Because the women are twins — and are both played by Lisa Kudrow — they seem way too similar to him.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-TAPE

"Family Guy" season-opener (7 p.m.) and "The Tick" premiere (7:30), both Fox. Here is laser-shot programming. These shows precisely will hit a few viewers, who will find them hilarious; others will find the humor too distant or repetitive. "Family Guy" is based on a family that's wildly dysfunctional, even by "The Simpsons" standards. In fact, the dog has a dry sense of humor and baby Stewie is an evil genius. Tonight, Stewie learns that his parents want another baby. Determined to stop them, he steps into a miniaturized spaceship and zooms through his dad's body. Some people will laugh wildly, others will quickly change channels. "The Tick" is based on a wonderful cartoon about a giant, dim-witted superhero. When that's turned over to actors (Patrick Warburton in the title role) many of the lines start to seem the same. The best moments come from brief bits by Liz Vassey and Nestor Carbonell, as Captain Liberty and her Latin lover, Bat Manuel.

"Survivor: Africa," 7 p.m., CBS. Tonight, the fifth person is sent packing.

"Popstars 2," 9 p.m. (after the volleyball game), WB (seen on KFVE). This show has a lot more ousting to do. So far, it has trimmed to 140 men and women, for a five-person pop group. Tonight, that's cut to 26.

"Temptation Island 2," 8 p.m., Fox. Yesterday, we met the four couples who will be tempted to stray with others at an island resort. Tonight, the show moves into its regular spot.

"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. Now that Grace and Nathan have split, her friends try to comfort her.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Carter learns more about his grandmother's health problems.