Tube Notes

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE (barring news pre-emptions): "Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. Last season ended with a one-two punch: Monica and Chandler really did get married; everyone suspects Rachel is pregnant. Now we pick things up at the reception. Joey's trying to impress a director, Chandler is trying to dance in bad shoes and we'll find out more about Rachel.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE II: "Inside Schwartz," 7:30 p.m., NBC. If sheer effort counted, this would be one of the year's best comedies. It's not, but it tries hard. At the core is a young sports buff who mourns the departure of his girlfriend. That's beefed up with endless gimmicks. There are sports celebrities popping into his imagination. In the opener, they include Dick Butkus, Bill Walton, Bill Buckner and boxing referee Mills Lane. All of this provides some quick, sharp laughs in an otherwise so-so comedy. Breckin Meyer, the star, is OK; so is the show.

"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. The season opens by continuing the mismatch of classy Grace (Debra Messing) and her low-class lover (Woody Harrelson). He'll be in some more episodes, but don't expect him to stick around.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. The season begins with heavy issues hanging over Dr. Greene (who deliberately let a patient die in last season's finale) and Dr. Weaver (who identified herself as a lesbian). Still, the focus tonight is on Dr. John Carter as he heads to his grandfather's funeral and must deal with his rich and distant parents.

"The Agency" premiere, 9 p.m., CBS. Here is another show that works terribly hard with mixed results. It is set at the CIA, with some scenes filmed at the agency's headquarters. Gil Bellows, formerly of "Ally McBeal," stars. He is backed by Rocky Carroll, Paige Turco and David Clennon. The episode we saw, which is not the one airing tonight due to a late switch, was OK, but no match for the power of two upcoming spy series — Fox's "24" and ABC's "Alias."