Posted on: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must See

"Kingdom Hospital" finale, 7 p.m., ABC. When this ambitious Stephen King series began, ABC president Susan Lyne promised a big finish. "It's got ... great characters and a really terrific narrative arc with a huge surprising ending," she said.

Of course, a lot has happened since. Lyne lost her job, and "Kingdom Hospital" kept bopping on and off the schedule. Now comes the finale, which could be worth seeing anyway. It's been clear that this fictional hospital — built on the site of a deadly fire — is haunted. Now some time-travel is needed to learn what happened.

"Will & Grace," 7:30 p.m., NBC. This rerun has Jack and Karen mourning the departure of a favorite TV show, which is a lot like "Friends" and "Frasier." That's sort of a cruel reminder to comedy fans. Ever since the last new "Frasier" episode, NBC has failed to offer reruns of the oft-brilliant comedy. Tonight, with a "Will & Grace" marathon, it also has no "Friends." Life can be cruel.

Of Note

"Will & Grace," 7 p.m., NBC. The rerun marathon starts with Jack Black playing a truly odd doctor, performing Karen's company physical. The 7:30 p.m. episode includes the show-farewell story mentioned above, plus Will getting bad romantic advice from Grace. The 8 p.m. one has Edie Falco and Chloe Sevigny as apartment schemers, competing with Will and Grace. The 8:30 p.m. episode has Will trapped between his mom (Blythe Danner) and his dad's mistress (Lesley Ann Warren).

"Pepsi Smash," 7 p.m., WB. The last new episode of the season is stuffed with star power. That includes Avril Lavigne, Jessica Simpson, Mario Winans and the group 213, which includes Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. Arson is suspected, after the same neighborhood has two blazes within a week.

"Wide Angle: The Saudi Question," 9 p.m., PBS. This documentary views the fragile situation in Saudi Arabia, where oil wealth and great hatred co-exist.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. When a priest disappears, Jack suspects the priest planned it.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Two young staffers face odd situations. Neela (Parminder Nagra) is in a lab with some unusual grad students; Sam (Linda Cardellini) reluctantly greets her son's father.