Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. NBC pulled the scheduled episodes for last Wednesday and Thursday, replacing them with reruns to avoid competing with baseball playoff games. The good news is that those led to changes for tonight, bringing a new episode instead of a rerun: Monica and Chandler are planning a trip to Vermont, but Rachel insists that everyone stay for Emma's first birthday party.

Of Note

"Terror in Moscow," 4 p.m., HBO. A year ago, a dramatic crisis began in a Moscow theater. In the middle of a musical, 41 Chechen terrorists took 700 people in the audience hostage, demanding that the Russian government withdraw from the Chechens' homeland. This documentary juggles fresh interviews and old news footage and tape recordings. The story unfolds, including a rescue that seemed triumphant, then turned tragic.

"Threat Matrix," 7 p.m., ABC. From the real terrorism shown on HBO, viewers can jump to fiction. Tonight, there is the threat of a "dirty bomb" in Washington, D.C.

"Survivor: Pearl Islands," 7 p.m., CBS. The field is trimmed to 10.

"Scrubs," 7:30 p.m., NBC. The strong-minded Dr. Cox (John McGinley) meets his match in a tough pediatrician (Christopher Meloni of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"). Meanwhile, the third-year residents realize they have far different approaches to interns.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. On a steamy Las Vegas day, a baby has died in a car and a man is found dead in a house. Police try to determine if these were deliberate.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. On a tough night, Weaver complains about staff mistakes, then makes one herself. Meanwhile, Abby has money problems.