Posted on: Friday, October 1, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes,
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Dr. Vegas," 9 p.m., CBS. After a so-so start last week, this series gets better in a hurry. It paints an ethically torn hero. That's Dr. Billy Grant (Rob Lowe). After personal problems, a shifty Las Vegas casino manager helped him. Now the doc has an in-casino clinic and, apparently, a gambling problem. Tonight, a boxer wants him to sew up a cut so slyly that the boxing commission won't notice. Will Dr. Grant do it? Will he go further and use inside knowledge to bet against the fighter? Would anything make him stop the fight? And, for that matter, would he secretly profit from a young card-counter at the blackjack table? The answers vary. Like guys on cable shows — especially "The Shield" and "Rescue Me" — Grant is a complex soul; maybe he'll be fun to watch, after all.

Of Note

"Joan of Arcadia," 7 p.m., CBS. Joan and her mom continue to struggle with crises of faith. Joan tries to ignore comments from God while reconnecting with a troubled teen she met at summer camp.

"8 Simple Rules," 7 p.m., ABC. We learn more about the girls' summers, including the guy Kerry met in Paris.

"Complete Savages," 7:30 p.m., ABC. The dad (Keith Carradine) is stunned to find that Chris — his son, the amiable athlete — is flunking most of his classes.

"Hope & Faith," 8 p.m., ABC. In last week's season opener, Faith (Kelly Ripa) finally went too far. Her brother-in-law booted her out of the house. Now she's living in a mall furniture display. Her sister Hope (Faith Ford) tries to help.

"JAG," 8 p.m., CBS. A Marine was killed by a member of the Iraqi Civil Defense Force. Now Harm and Mac investigate.

"Third Watch," 8 p.m., NBC. This episode adds a rookie cop, played by Josh Stewart, who has a busy first day. Meanwhile, Cruz continues to battle her new boss, played by Aidan Quinn.

"Medical Investigation," 9 p.m., NBC. Here is the episode originally set for last week. Four children in one little town have come down with a severe muscular ailment. The team rushes to find out why.