Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Ed" (7 p.m.) and "The West Wing" (8 p.m.) season openers, NBC. At a time when other shows avoid serialized stories, these classy shows forge ahead. Their complex, intelligent tales continue from week to week and season to season. When last season ended, Ed's one true love, Carol, went on a summer-long vacation with her boss. She's back now, still perplexed about a steamy goodbye kiss with Ed. That's part of an episode that's beautifully directed by Tim Busfield, who has become one of the show's many producers. In one dandy plot twist, Danny DeVito guests as a guy with a great scam. In another, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell has his first acting role since being paralyzed below the chest in a road accident. Mitchell is wonderful here, as a job applicant who says he knows it all. The "West Wing" episode wasn't available for review, but expect this to be a strong stretch, leading into a re-election episode in November.
Of Note
"My Wife and Kids" season opener, 7 p.m., ABC. The family vacations in Hawai'i with Michael (Damon Wayans) thinking of sex and his wife (Tisha Campbell-Martin) thinking of sight-seeing.
"The Bachelor," 8 p.m., ABC. This was a surprise hit last season. Now it becomes a series, with one bachelor meeting 25 marital prospects. Last time, alas, the guy never did propose. Tonight, we get an update.
"Fastlane," 8 p.m., Fox. Last week's terrific and stylish premiere turned two young cops into reluctant partners. Now they chase beautiful bikers who are jewel thieves.
"MDs" premiere, 9 p.m., ABC. Here's a new hospital drama with a dark, solemn core. William Fichtner ("Black Hawk Down") and Scottish actor John Hannah play San Francisco doctors who resist the system. In tonight's dramatic — but highly unlikely — story they link with a newcomer (played by the likable Michaela Conlin) for some clandestine surgery.
"Presidio Med," 9 p.m., CBS. Beginning tonight, two San Francisco hospital shows clash. This one premiered Tuesday with some murky soap-opera touches. Now it confuses us. On Tuesday, it said plastic surgeon Jackie Colette (Sasha Alexander) was a gutsy idealist. Tonight, she's a selfish creep who would rather do tummy tucks than help a burn victim.
