Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Last Comic Standing," 8 p.m., NBC. Last week's episode, which reruns at 7 p.m., had Gary Gulman in his second straight face-off, this time against Jay London. London, a wonderfully original comic, had a good night; Gulman had a great one, getting more than 80 percent of the votes. With London now ousted, the field is down to six. One more will go tonight, giving us five of the finalists who will compete Aug. 10. Next week, viewers will get a chance to bring back one of the ousted, leading toward the finale. So far, these standup comedians have been quick, clever and thoroughly entertaining.
Of Note
"King of the Jungle 2," debut, 2, 5 and 9 p.m., Animal Planet. For the second time, this cable channel has a reality-show competition to choose a host. Its dozen competitors range from students in their 20s to a 50-year-old Air Force colonel.
"Things I Hate About You," debut, 6 and 10 p.m., Bravo. Aiming low, this show simply asks which half of a couple is more annoying. It has two worthy prospects.
Renee (no last names are included) is 33, a morning disc jockey who lives in Windsor, Conn. She wants constant back rubs, and for her even the simplest event — two friends coming for dinner — requires endless planning. Patrick, 25, is the producer of her show. He makes loud noises — belches and worse. He forgets things, including his reason for going to the grocery store.
They've been together for four years, with little compromise. He strums the guitar while she tries to hear the TV set. She gives her dog the prime spot in bed and when his allergy medication runs out, she suggests that he (not the dog) sleep on the sofa. To study their flaws, cameras are stationed around the house. This reality show has Mo Rocca (once of the wonderful "The Daily Show") as host. It manages to be moderately entertaining.
"Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy" debut, 7 p.m., Fox. Two women with sharply differing lives briefly change places. This opener involves a working woman in a modest-income Dallas neighborhood and a car wash owner (married to a surgeon) who has a big house in the suburbs.
"The Amazing Race," 9 p.m., CBS: There's no way of guessing what will happen in this fascinating reality show. In the first two weeks, two couples that were fit and well-prepared finished last and were eliminated. Last week, Alison and Donny fought, feuded, then were ousted. They've since broken up. A week earlier Erika and Dennis were defeated, but they're still together. Now the remaining nine duos continue their global dash.
