Posted on: Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Rescue Me," 7 p.m., FX. In the first four weeks, Tommy (Denis Leary) has had a tenuous grip on reality. He's haunted by his failed marriage and by the deaths he's seen as a firefighter. Now come two powerful scenes that make us — and him — worry more about his sanity. Meanwhile, he manipulates his daughter, who's recovering from a traffic accident. And his father (superbly played by Charles Durning) reinvents himself. There is more in this strong episode. A death changes everything for Franco. Reilly's gay-bashing charges are resolved in a quietly compelling scene with his son.

"Olympics Summer Games," Track and field (shot put) competition, with portions on NBC (6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. until early a.m. hours). This event will be held in Olympia at the site of the ancient games. NBC will also show the women's shot put finals in the morning and the men's shot put finals in prime time.

Of Note

"Predator" (1987), 4:30 p.m., FX. Muscular men with political futures (Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura) face a creepy creature. With John McTiernan ("Die Hard") directing, this became a surprisingly well-made action film that you can compare to "Alien vs. Predator," now in theatres.

"Family Guy," 7 and 7:30 p.m., Fox. Long after its cancellation, this cartoon became a surprise hit via cable and DVD. Now — with new episodes being made — here are two old ones. The first has Joe the cop competing in Special People's Games; the second has Brian the dog watching a crabby old woman.

"The Drew Carey Show," 8 and 8:30 p.m.,. ABC. In the first new episode, Drew inadvertently causes Mimi's house to burn down. In the second, the insurance agent is skeptical.

"King of Queens," 8 and 8:30 p.m., CBS. In the first rerun, Arthur (Jerry Stiller) suddenly tries to be a good father. In the second, Doug scares people away from his wife's office.