Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Reno 911" season opener, 7:30 p.m., Comedy Central. Here is a droll, clever comedy from the people who made "The State" and "Viva Variety." It looks a bit like "Cops" with hand-held cameras following police. It's all fictional, though, some of it improvised beautifully. Tonight, the cold Lt. Dingle (Thomas Lennon) announces that he's landed a better job elsewhere. Now everyone's expected to catch his retirement party.
"Last Comic Standing," 7 p.m., NBC. If you prefer punch lines, catch this show prior to "Reno." The jokes, some of them terrific, fly quickly. Yesterday we saw national auditions, and 40 comics were chosen. Tonight, each gets a brief shot in New York. Half are chosen for next week's round in Las Vegas. We see only part of each routine, which may leave viewers frustrated. Some so-so comics seem to have been chosen, possibly on reputation. However, "Last Comic" resounds with witty moments. It will be interesting to follow it all summer.
Of Note
"Biography," 5 and 9 p.m., A&E. Here is a profile of Bette Midler.
"Kathy Griffin: The D-List," 5 p.m., Bravo. This reruns a hilarious standup special.
"5 Days to Midnight," 6 p.m., Sci Fi Channel; reruns at 7 and 8 p.m. Tonight's hour i the fourth hour of five — begins with a wrenching moment. The professor, now worried that he can't avoid his impending murder, prepares his videotaped will. For a refresher on what's happened so far, catch a rerun of the previous episode, at 5 p.m.
"The Simple Life," 7 p.m., Fox. This reality show was a delight last fall, with heiresses Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie living and working with a farm family. A new season will begin June 16, with the women taking a road trip through small-town America. First, here's a chance to relive four of the original episodes.
"My Wife and Kids," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. The first rerun wraps up the family's misadventures in Hawaii. The second sends the parents to couples therapy.
"The Drew Carey Show," 8 p.m., ABC. Drew faces a workplace tragedy — his foosball table is gone.
"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. Tonight's rerun has a motivational speaker apparently being pushed from a building. That's not to be confused with last week's "Without a Trace," in which a motivational speaker was kidnapped.
