Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Regency House Party," 9 p.m., PBS. Here is the third of four episodes lushly recreating the mating scene of England's Regency era. So far, the guys have paid surprisingly little attention to an intriguing countess. In modern life, she's Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Griaznov, 28, a psychiatrist's daughter, who is well educated and a Russian countess. Still, she works as a barmaid and reviews horror films. Now she grasps for attention, using a technique that a Regency woman once tried. She becomes the center plate on the dining table, virtually nude, with food atop her. It's a bold gesture, but there's still more attention to the newly arrived Tanya Samuel. In the show, she's a West Indian heiress. In real life, she's 30, a successful entrepreneur whose brother is the singer Seal. Tonight, she's the one who is noticed.
Of Note
"Lost," 7 p.m., ABC. A mysterious figure on the island holds Sayid captive.
"LAX," 7 p.m., NBC. Harley frets about moving in with her boyfriend. The airport has bigger problems. Chased by police, a man dressed as Santa got to the airport, then shed his suit and beard.
"Category 6: Day of Destruction" conclusion, 7 p.m., CBS. If you think you've got troubles, consider Thomas Gibson's character. He's running a Chicago utility that is squeezed by an evil energy company. His wife is mad at him for having an affair with the evil energy company's blond spokeswoman. His teen daughter has a nasty boyfriend who now has her (and her angry mom) at gunpoint. Also, there's a blackout, and two immense storms are preparing to flatten Chicago. During the next two hours, there will be lots of action. Also, a TV reporter (Nancy McKeon) races to expose evil, not realizing that her sister-in-law is trapped (and, of course, ready to give birth) in an elevator.
"The Simple Life 2," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are back with outtakes from their reality show.
"National Geographic: Civil War Gold," 8 p.m., PBS. Back in 1865, an Atlantic hurricane wrecked a New Orleans-bound ship filled with gold and with post-war dreams. This interesting hour jumps between history and the modern 12-year search for artifacts and the gold.
"The Bachelor," 8 p.m., ABC. While the old-time dating scene continues on PBS, the modern version is near its finale on ABC. Tonight, the ousted women return to comment on the bachelor.
