Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. This rerun is a quick reminder of "Friends" at its best. Each of the three story lines is sharp and funny. One has Ross trying to seem calm about his true love, Rachel, dating his friend, Joey. Another story has Chandler and Monica visiting the home of some adoptive parents. The third has Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) returning with a forlorn account of raising the triplets.

"Come to Papa," 7:30 p.m., NBC. It's not fair to go from "Friends" to "Papa," a new and adequate comedy. Still, this episode (the first of four) has its moments. Tom Papa plays a newspaper reporter who also writes TV commercials. He's OK, but the key laughs come from others. His mailman is a seven-footer; the coffee shop women think he's "special."

Of Note

"Scream 2" (1997), 7 p.m., Fox. The original was a horror-film delight, beautifully written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven. They returned for this sequel with fairly good results. Neve Campbell plays one of the survivors, panicked now that it's time for a movie version of her ordeal. The cast has Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jamie Kennedy and more.

"Joan of Arcadia," 7 p.m., CBS. Joan's parents are supposed to spend time at a spa; it's a rerun.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. Five people have been killed in a grocery store. Now Grissom's investigation takes him to a questionable cop.

"Will and Grace," 8 p.m., NBC. Mira Sorvino guests as Will's ex-lover, with much personal baggage.

"Scrubs," 8:30 p.m., NBC. J.D. is spending more time with Dr. Cox — which annoys his lover (Tara Reid).

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Lewis is busy, making it tough for her to keep a dinner appointment with an elderly patient, played by Bob Newhart.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. A motivational speaker steps into the wrong limousine and isn't seen again.