Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Friends," 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC. The "sweeps" ratings period begins tonight, with everyone trying harder to hold audiences. For "Friends," that means a new episode followed by a terrific rerun. The first episode continues the complications, now that Joey has realized he has a thing for Rachel. That peaks when she's in pain and must be rushed to the hospital. One side plot has Chandler obsessing over Monica's secret closet. Another has Monica finally getting massaged by Phoebe. The rerun has Rachel telling her dad that she's pregnant with Ross' baby. That leads to a hilarious scene with the dad (Ron Leibman), Ross (David Schwimmer) and his new girlfriend (Bonnie Somerville).

"Biography," 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., A&E. Vince Lombardi's first impression on his players wasn't always favorable. "I just thought he was an evil old man who liked torturing people," running back Elijah Pitts says in this documentary. Underneath was a more complex figure. To his players, Lombardi was a warm father figure. To his son, he was a distant coach. He was an enigma who turned the Green Bay Packers into an awesome force, winning the first two Super Bowls. Here is a portrait.

Of Note

"The Price Is Right 30th Anniversary," 7 p.m., CBS. Instead of the usual clips, "Price" offers a glitzed-up version of its regular show, taped in Las Vegas.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. Catherine ends up in the middle of a kidnapping scheme. She must accompany the man delivering the ransom.

"Rose Red," 8 p.m., ABC. As the third and final episode begins, the paranormal researchers know they're in too deep. This old mansion has a mind of its own. Now it has locked them in, created illusions and started to kill. The result is an adequate finale to an elaborate Stephen King tale.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. After rushing his baby to the hospital, Mark learns devastating news about his older daughter. Meanwhile, Weaver fumes at Romano, and Abby takes in an abused neighbor.