Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"The Shield," 10 p.m., FX. This fierce series wraps up its 15-episode season powerfully. Problems began when Vic's team of rogue cops stole a fortune from the Armenian mob. The cover-up has been tough. Last week, one cop panicked and burned most of the money. Now the mobsters are closing in, demanding money that no longer exists. There is a showdown, skillfully ending a superb season.
"Sex and the City," 7 p.m. and 7:35 p.m., TBS. From the moment it premiered on HBO in 1998, "Sex" was a fresh force. Its scripts were inconsistent, but everything else — the uptown look, the dandy cast, the frank sex and language — was impressive. Now the show moves in syndication to basic cable, censored mildly. TBS will air what it calls 10 key episodes over the next five days. Then episodes will run in order at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, repeating the same ones at the same times on Wednesdays. Can "Sex" survive the censors? Tonight's first episode — a fairly good one with Carrie modeling at a charity show — shows characters can still have lots of frank talk, as long as they keep their clothes on. Fans can also visit www.tbs.tv to join a "Sex" fan club and access exclusive materials.
Of Note
"In Tune," 5 p.m., VH1. Singer-songwriter John Mayer meets and sings with the guy he grew up admiring, Paul Simon.
"Next Action Star," 7 p.m., NBC. On Monday, viewers saw auditions overflowing with fit and attractive young men and women. Now 30 of them have been chosen to go to Los Angeles. Only 10, however, will then get to stay for a weekly competition.
"Joe Schmo 2," 7 p.m., Spike TV. Last year's "Schmo" was a wonderful twist on reality TV: One real guy didn't know everyone else was an actor, satirizing reality contestants. Can it do it again? We'll see. This one is a pretend dating show with two real people — one male, one female — surrounded by fakes.
"The Jury," 8 p.m., Fox. A man arranged a marriage-by-mail with a young woman from the Philippines. Now he's accused of murder.
"The Bernie Mac Show," 7 & 7:30 p.m., Fox. In the first episode, Bernie and his wife disagree on whether Bryanna needs a therapist. In the second, Jordan drops out of basketball. Shaquille O'Neal has a brief role.
