Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. On a night stuffed with reruns, we could try this new episode. It takes the four key characters and puts them in new turf. Joey makes a last-minute trip to Las Vegas, to judge a beauty pageant. Gina (his sister) and Alex (his landlord) decide to go with him — and to kidnap Michael (Gina's son), to celebrate his 21st birthday. That sets up an odd-couple combination: Michael, who is (literally) a rocket scientist, reluctantly teaches Gina, his flashy mom, his method for playing blackjack.
Of Note
"The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. Ryan is getting more interested in Lindsay, the outspoken, middle-income newcomer.
"Ebbie" (1995), 7 p.m., Lifetime, and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys" (2001), 9 p.m., ABC Family. Clearly, we are deep into Christmas turf. In one time slot, we can choose Susan Lucci as the Ebenezer Scrooge-type in a movie or Rudolph leading a rescue mission in a cartoon.
"A Year Without a Santa Claus," 7 p.m. and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," 8 p.m., ABC Family. Yes, cable already is full-force into the holiday.
"Will & Grace," 7:30 p.m., NBC. This rerun has Will and Grace trying to expand their apartment business. They face two masters of the trade, played by Edie Falco and Chloe Sevigny.
"Divine Design Christmas," 8 p.m., HGTV. This new special redesigns two rooms of an older home, making it suitable for the holiday.
"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The contestants must design a candy bar, manufacture it and peddle it on the street.
"North Shore," 8 p.m., Fox. After dropping Jason, Nicole meets a celebrity chef (Dominic Purcell).
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. Here's a rerun of the season opener, with several bodies found. One is near the famed Area 51, which the military keeps under high security; some people assume a space alien has been found.
"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. In a rerun, cops search for a school kid. The restroom, where he was last seen, has blood.
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. As a policeman lies in a coma, his 15-year-old son must decide whether to approve a risky procedure.
