Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. At first, this seemed like just a cheap way to polish up reruns: NBC would air the six episodes that viewers (voting online) choose as the best ever. Our doubts have faded, though. Most choices have been excellent. Tonight, we see the one chosen as the best. Next week, "Friends" starts its final four new shows.

"Inside 'The Gospel of John,' " 7 p.m., Pax; and "The Trial of Jesus," 6, 10 p.m., History Channel. With Easter fast approaching and Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" breaking box office records, networks are jumping on the get-to-know Jesus bandwagon. A previous special on Gibson's film was the second-highest-rated show in Pax history. CNN aired a biography of Jesus on Sunday, and ABC spent three hours Monday on Jesus' history. Now Pax looks at the gospel of John. The three-hour Canadian-British epic that came out last year is being reintroduced to some theaters for the upcoming Easter holiday, and is also on video. Christopher Plummer, the film's narrator, hosts. Meanwhile, History focuses on the trial. It then follows up by looking at Pontius Pilate (7 and 11 p.m.) and the Shroud of Turin (8 p.m. and midnight).

Of Note

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. There are only four people left now, and two will be dumped to set up next week's finale.

"Frontline: Diet Wars," 9 p.m., PBS. Americans spend $40 billion a year on diet books and products, this film says. These range from Atkins to the Zone, often giving contradictory advice. This hour takes a look.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. This is a rough week for Weaver as her partner — firefighter Sandy Lopez (Lisa Vidal) — is injured and struggling to stay alive. Meanwhile, Neela (Parminder Nagra) continues to face suspicion from Gallant. She and Abby also learn the results of their board tests.