Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"24," 8 p.m., Fox. Last week, this terrific series opened its season with surprises. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has a heroin addiction that began when he was undercover. His daughter Kim has a secret romance with Chase, Jack's colleague. The president has his own secret romance with his doctor. All of that would be complicated enough on a normal day. This day, however, has the entire Counter Terrorist Unit scrambling to prevent a drug lord's brother from releasing a fast-spreading virus. Things get more complicated because an ordinary California teen is delivering the virus, which is disguised (really) as cocaine. There are still times when "24" seems silly. With the world wobbling and the clock ticking, agents pause for an Oprah moment, discussing their feelings. And tonight, Jack confronts one lowlife who has tons of information. Still, O24" is so big and bold that we'll love it, flaws and all. It delivers more great moments than you can expect from an hour of television.
Of Note
"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. Rocked by the death of its star John Ritter, this show has an interesting revision. Tonight's episode begins with Cate (Katey Sagal) mourning her husband's death. Her parents „ played by TV heavyweights James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette „ were estranged from each other but they arrive to comfort Cate and her three children.
"Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. During the first full week of the Osweeps" ratings period, NBC decides it needs an extra OFear Factor." This one is expanded to 90 minutes to make room for four stunts instead of three. In one, 10 items are hidden inside 50 cows' brains „ which contestants must move with their mouths.
"Nova," 8 p.m., PBS. Here's the final hour of the three-hour OThe Elegant Universe" in which physicist Brian Greene explains the Ostring theory" that has the entire universe composed of tiny strings. We still won't understand it, but Greene's account is fun. Using animation and special effects, he whisks us through wormholes, time-travel and more.
"Frasier," 8:30 p.m., NBC. As the pregnant Daphne becomes more emotional, Niles is reluctant to tell her that his ex-wife, Maris, is back. Meanwhile, Frasier returns to private practice and has some annoying patients. Sarah Silverman of OSchool of Rock" plays one of them. lawyers.
