Posted on: Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must See

"CMA Music Festival," 8 p.m., CBS. Some of the top names in Nashville take turns performing. The lineup ranges from veterans with a pile of hits — Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Hank Williams Jr. — to such fresh names as Gretchen Wilson ("Redneck Woman") and Dierks Bentley ("What Was I Thinkin'?"). Others include LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, Keith Urban, Pat Green and, from the rock world, Uncle Kracker.

Of Note

"The Next Action Star," 7 p.m., NBC. The actors face a scary scene called "Watery Grave," which involves trying to get through a net while holding their breath under water.

"The Quintuplets," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Two sets of quintuplets are competing for the same commercial.

"The Drew Carey Show," 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. In these new episodes, Drew and Kellie have a dog-track scheme designed to raise money for their upcoming baby.

"Simple Life 2: Road Trip," 8 p.m., Fox. In Texas, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie cause more trouble. This time they run off with a local boy from a hippie family.

"Law & Order," 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. In the first rerun, a body floating in the river soon provides a link to scandal among divorce lawyers. In the second, a Yankee fan is much-hated for catching a foul ball before the Yank outfielder can get it. When he's murdered, the city is full of suspects.

"Method & Red," 8:30 p.m., Fox. The guys lure an investor, played by Carmen Electra, in order to get money for their latest scheme.

"Mystery: Thief of Time," 9 p.m., PBS. If you missed Sunday's debut of this movie, catch it now. The story, based on a Tony Hillerman novel, is OK, with Wes Studi and Adam Beach as Navajo tribal police in a plot that ranges from pottery theft to murder. The story comes alive mainly because of the skills of the director — Chris Eyre ("Smoke Signals").