Posted on: Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Rescue Me," 10 p.m., FX. Last week, Chief Jerry Reilly (superbly played by Jack McGee) turned ugly. He had meant to verbally confront the retiree who told a reporter about being a gay firefighter. Instead, he ended up beating the guy brutally. Now, in a powerful story line, Reilly scrambles to save his job, his pension and more. Meanwhile, Lt. Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) sinks deeper into his plan to sabotage his estranged wife's new boyfriend. And — in a wonderful little scene — Lt. Lou Shea (John Scurti) finally shows his poetry to his wife, who assumes he's been busy watching porn.

"Next Action Star: Bet Your Life," 7 p.m., NBC. Last week, we learned which man and woman had won the "Next Action Star" show. Now they star in this movie, which was filmed after "Star" (taped in advance) concluded. The story centers on Sonny Briggs, a former pro-quarterback, saddled by gambling woes, who drives a limo in Las Vegas. Now he's chasing a psychopath while a sexy bounty hunter chases him.

Of Note

"My Wife and Kids," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. Both reruns deal with Michael's kids and driving. In the first, his son buys his first car; in the second, his daughter gets a learner's permit.

"The Simple Life 2: Road Trip," 8 and 8:30 p.m., Fox. This popular show, which ends its season tonight, is the exact opposite of "Amish." The way-too-worldly Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie sample life in quieter spots. They try to help a Texas sheriff and a rancher; then they return home to Los Angeles.

"The Drew Carey Show," 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. In the first episode, Drew sets up his mom with a date. In the second, he gets Gus ejected from the soccer team.

"King of Queens," 8 and 8:30 p.m., CBS. In the first rerun, Carrie's dad might get a babysitter. In the second, Carrie meets one of Doug's former girlfriends.

"The Real Olympics," 9 p.m., PBS. In the second half of this documentary, the ancient and modern games are compared. There are plenty of parallels, the film says, from the events to the rumors of corruption.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. When a key witness is killed, officials are zealous about finding the shooter.

"Great Performances: From the Acropolis: A Salute to the Games With the Berlin Philharmonic," 10 p.m., PBS. With the remains of ancient Athens in the background, Sir Simon Rattle conducts in the Herodes Atticus Amphitheatre; Daniel Barenboim performs a Brahms piano concerto.