Posted on: Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

Presidential debate, 3 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC and cable news channels; 9 p.m., PBS. Here's the final debate, and the only one focusing strictly on domestic issues. Iraq has been key in all or part of the first presidential debate and the lone vice presidential one. Now George W. Bush and John Kerry debate at Arizona State University. This will focus on the issues at home, from taxes to education to healthcare and more.

"Lost," 7 p.m., ABC. This compelling series is telling the back stories of some of the people stranded by the air crash. Tonight, as the survivors hunt wild boar, we learn about Locke, who managed to bring knives onto the plane. He's played by Terry O'Quinn, best known for playing tough, bald guys on Chris Carter's shows — "X-Files," "Millennium" and "Harsh Realm."

Of Note

Baseball, 2 p.m., Fox. Debate-skippers can spend the night with a playoff game.

"Smallville," 7 p.m., WB. Two cheerleaders have developed a love potion. Maybe that disproves the notion that kids needn't stay awake during chemistry class.

"The Scream Team" (2002), 8 p.m., Disney Channel. Families skipping the debate can enjoy this comedy, which is filled with sight gags and clever lines. Tommy Davidson and Kathy Najimy lead efforts to scare a family in an old house.

"The Mountain," 8 p.m., WB. A maintenance man claims that David's late grandfather bribed him to cover up a skiing accident. Also, a former white-collar criminal works on a charity event.

"Rescue Me," 10 p.m., FX. The season finale for this richly crafted series has the other firemen learning that Tommy (Denis Leary) had a fling with his best friend's widow. Also, another hockey game with police is coming up and he wants to avoid being crushed again.