Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"The Real Olympics: Death or Glory," 9 p.m., PBS. Death and glory weren't mutually exclusive options in the ancient Olympics. One wrestler, receiving a fierce chokehold, came back with a punishing move of his own. His opponent surrendered — and the victor promptly died. It was considered a splendid finale. That was one of many quirks of the old games. It was an all-male world, among the naked competitors and the spectators. Alongside those quirks was a strong sense of idealism. This documentary — with elaborate (but clothed) re-creations — offers details; it concludes tomorrow.
Of Note
"Last Comic Standing," 7 p.m., NBC. There's six comics, and a change from the original plan. All six will perform tonight and viewers will vote. On Thursday, we'll learn which three will be in the finale, Aug. 10.
"Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy," 7 p.m., Fox. Tentatively planned is the first half of a story that has a California woman and a Massachusetts woman temporarily changing places.
"Navy NCIS," 7 p.m., CBS. Gibbs (Mark Harmon) is supposed to track his former commander, who is on the FBI's most-wanted list. Consider this a winner by default, because it is tonight's only show at 8 on one of the big-four networks that actually has a script.
"Amazing Race," 9 p.m., CBS. Last week, this oft-classy reality show sank to the "Fear Factor" level. It forced each duo to have one person eat two pounds of caviar. Losing was the older couple that met on the Internet. They did fine in the eating portion, but they had airline-scheduling problems. Now the seven surviving duos head to Egypt.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. An apparent rape case soon turns into a complex suicide question.
"P.O.V.: A Family Undertaking," 10 p.m., PBS. Only in the past century, this documentary says, have people assumed that strangers would handle their loved one's funeral and burial. Here, we see people who prefer the old way. That includes a moving look at some strong-and-silent South Dakota ranchers, as one of them, 90, helps build his own coffin.
