Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Will & Grace," 7:30 p.m., NBC. Soon, Thursdays will be the farewell night for two of TV's best comedies: "Friends" leaves on May 6, "Frasier" on May 13. First, "Will & Grace" — which will be loaning its time slot for those finales — spoofs the situation. The plot has characters moping because their favorite show — one with six friends and Dr. Frasier Crane — is leaving the air. Along the way, Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith on "Frasier" and "Cheers") and Sharon Osbourne play themselves. Meanwhile, Will follows disastrous dating advice from Grace.

Of Note

Basketball, 2 p.m., CBS. The second week of the NCAA tournament begins. Games vary in each region.

"Friends," 7 p.m., NBC. We learn which episode was chosen by Internet voters as the third best of all time.

"High Rollers: A History of Gambling," 7 p.m., History Channel. Somehow, gambling has gone from society's seedy underbelly to a hot topic of late. This documentary looks at the past and present forms of gambling.

"Tru Calling," 7 p.m., Fox. Jason Priestley joins the series as a drifter.

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The six remaining contestants face a fresh challenge: Create a game promotion for Donald Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, N.J.

"Frontline/World: On a Razor's Edge," 9 p.m., PBS. One segment offers some glimpses of Pakistan from the general (a U.S. ally) who survived murder attempts to the scientist who sold nuclear secrets to rogue nations. Another views the growing practice of kidnapping brides in Kyrgyzstan. The show introduces women who escaped and one who accepted her fate. "After the kidnapping, you've no choice," she says. "You start loving; you have to build a life."

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. This begins reruns of the three-episode story that has Bob Newhart as a patient who is losing his sight. It's a downbeat hour that includes Allison Elliott as a mother suspected of abuse and Scott Grimes as a new resident who is instantly overwhelmed.