Posted on: Thursday, October 14, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Mickey's House of Villains" (2002), 8 p.m., Disney Channel. Disney always has created great villains. Not many of them combine for this movie, which originally went direct-to-video. Cruella De Vil, the rotten puppy-stealer, is here. So are Afar, Ursula, Captain Hook and more. At one point, they take over the House of Mouse and sing "This House is Ours Now." Then the good guys fight back.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. It's the Fourth of July and the emergency room is in chaos again. Pratt has returned too soon after his operation and is short-tempered. Ray, the new doctor, is bitter because Abby ordered blood tests for his patient. Neela is finding that it's tough to get a nonmedical job. Then there's Carter, who's supposed to be in charge. He's trying to get Corday to perform an unapproved organ transfer. This could be a tough holiday.

Of Note

Baseball, 2 p.m., Fox. It's the second game of the National League championship series.

"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. Just to befuddle us, NBC took the episode intended for tonight and aired it last week. Now the one aimed for last week airs tonight. Joey meets the actor who's been mocking him at auditions; Michael's sick, putting Gina (Michael's mom and Joey's sister) into full mother mode.

"Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet," 7, 9 p.m., Comedy Central. The brilliant Pryor, now 63, has inspired generations of comics. He's been slowed by multiple sclerosis in recent years, but his impact continues. This tribute concert brought great talents, including Steve Harvey, Dave Chappelle, Denis Leary, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac and Whoopi Goldberg.

"Will & Grace," 7:30 p.m., NBC. Will has never really had a happy birthday. But now that he has a warm romance with Vince (Bobby Cannavale), he's willing to try again. Presents for him are planned, ranging from a key chain to a nude painting.

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The two teams try to design and sell a line of clothing. Experiences vary, including one guy who spends his time hitting on the models.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. The disappearance of a 12-year-old girl particularly shakes Catherine, whose own daughter has been seen hitchhiking.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. While preparing for his own difficult divorce, Jack (Anthony LaPaglia) has a tough time focusing on the current case: The missing man had said aliens grabbed him long ago and would do it again.