Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Tick," 7:30 p.m., Fox. After a so-so opener last week this show bounces back with a dandy episode. Our heroes are abuzz because the Immortal is coming. He is an indestructible superhero who has survived fire, bullets and more. Then ... well, then he drops dead after some steamy passion with Captain Liberty (Liz Vassey). That means Bat Manuel (Nestor Carbonell) must pose as him while others move the body. This is grownup, clever humor, which you don't expect from a show filled with goofy characters in tights. Vassey and Carbonell are wonderful, providing great counterpoint to the show's one-note title character.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Here is one of those epics "ER" tackles occasionally. It comes complete with a pounding storm. "It's kind of a big, huge episode," says Laura Innes who plays Kerry Weaver. "It combines top-level action scenes with a good story." That puts Weaver and a pregnant woman in a stalled ambulance. "It was great, because it was the first time the character was completely unhinged," Innes says.

OF NOTE

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. Chandler is married now but he finally gets a bachelor party.

"Survivor: Africa," 7 p.m., CBS. It's time to oust the sixth person trimming the field to 10.

"Scrubs," 7:30 p.m., NBC. Turk and J.D. sneak off to a strip club ... and promptly become medical heroes.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. When a woman's body is found buried in a playground sandbox, the investigation leads to some nasty turf.

"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. A mayoral race leaves friends divided: Will likes the gay candidate, Grace likes the Jewish one.

"The Agency," 9 p.m., CBS. Matt finally learns the truth about his brother's death.