Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The Forgetting" (9 p.m.) and "Alzheimer's: The Help You Need" (10:30 p.m.), PBS. "The Forgetting" tells us Alzheimer's disease is on the rise. Already, there are 5 million Americans stricken by it. "You can almost see her brain shut down," one woman says of her sister. A half-hour show of advice and reactions, follows. David Hyde Pierce ("Frasier") hosts.

"Chappelle's Show" season-opener, 8:30 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central. Dave Chappelle has a gift for turning clever ideas into wonderful little films. In the show's highlight, we see ethnic groups take turns drafting mixed-race celebrities as their own. Who will get Tiger Woods, Halle Berry and Lenny Kravitz? This show will offend some people with its language and subjects, but it also has moments that are extremely funny.

Of Note

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's another audition special. Next week, the judges start to trim the field of 130 to 32. Two more specials will be shown next week. Tuesday, Fox will show the "American Idol" special with Los Angeles and San Francisco auditions. The Hawai'i audition show will be televised Wednesday.

"The Apprentice," 7 p.m., NBC. Tonight — barring another late change — this show settles into its regular spot. In the first two weeks, the eight women have shown more imagination and creativity. Now the guys — there are only six left — grasp for a comeback.

"My Wife and Kids," 7 p.m., ABC. Michael is supposed to help his daughter's candy sale.

"The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. A rerun of the excellent season-opener. Bartlet's daughter has been kidnapped, and he has temporarily relinquished the presidency.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. A lawyer says attorney-client privilege bars him from telling where a killer buried the bodies.

"Todd TV," 10, 11 p.m., FX. Todd Santos, we're told, is indecisive about his life. The viewers take over in this reality show. They'll watch slices of his life and vote. He has to follow their decisions about dating, jobs, parties and more.

Correction: Two more "American Idol" audition specials will be shown on Fox next week. Tuesday, Fox will show the "American Idol" special with Los Angeles and San Francisco auditions. The Hawai'i audition show will be televised Wednesday. A previous version of these Tube Notes contained incorrect information.