Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Fox has expanded the special audition programming from three hours to five. That means more time for truly awful tryouts (interspersed with good ones) and insults. The auditions continue today and Wednesday before the show starts to focus on the singers with talent.

"Traffic," 9 p.m., USA Network; concludes tomorrow. If you missed yesterday's opener you can still jump in. This is strong drama, rough and raw. Tonight, a maverick Drug Enforcement Agency agent (Elias Koteas) battles bandits in Afghanistan. Teaming with a drug runner, he's searching for a $20 million heroin stash. Back home, his wife (Mary McCormack) learns that he's missing and may have turned corrupt. Their teen son meets a girl who's intense, intriguing and dangerous. Meanwhile, a young MBA (Balthazar Getty) links with an evil importer. And a Russian immigrant seeks revenge for the death of his wife and child. Tomorrow, all of this will tie together fiercely.

Of Note.

"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. David Spade, now a series regular, is an odd influence on Rory, who has stolen a school's mascot.

"The Tracy Morgan Show," 8 p.m., NBC. The science fair brings general trouble. Derrick's project points out the amount of bacteria at home.

"Keen Eddie," 7 p.m., Bravo. Here's an excellent episode that wasn't aired during the show's brief Fox run. Ron Moody (who played pickpocket Fagin in the movie "Oliver" movie) plays (appropriately) a brilliant old pickpocket. Worried his son has gone too far, he links with the cops. Meanwhile, Eddie's police partner joins a support group for the sex-obsessed.

"I'm With Her," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Alex frets over whether she'll get an Oscar nomination.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. Dangerous alliances continue. Jack's life depends on Nina, the double spy who killed his wife, and the president brings back his scheming ex-wife.