Posted on: Thursday, October 28, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Women Rock," 8 p.m., Lifetime. Each year, Lifetime brings together some of the top women singers for a concert that doubles as a breast-cancer awareness event. Tonight, it spans generations. From "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson to Blondie. Others are Angie Stone, En Vogue and Shirley Manson, the lead singer for Garbage. Vivica A. Fox, who stars in Lifetime's above-average "Missing" hosts.

Of Note

"Extreme Makeover," 7 p.m., ABC. One case involves a widowed rock singer, 48, trying to recapture the look he had in his semi-glory days. Another involves a successful event planner, 38, dreading her class reunion at Beverly Hills High School, where she was considered an ugly duckling. There are also mini-makeovers of two hard-working sisters from American Samoa. All of these are upbeat, feel-good stories. All also illustrate that this show, like some others, falls into a sameness. Why, for instance, must people scream "Oh my God" at the slightest provocation.

"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. Going against the World Series (on the Mainland, and barring a four-game sweep) on Fox, NBC has reruns of its fictional shows tonight. "Joey," in a change of plans, repeats its opening episode. That's a terrific one with Joey taking his acting career to California.

"Will & Grace," 7:30 p.m., NBC. In this rerun, Mira Sorvino plays Leo's trendy ex-girlfriend, who also has another distinction: She's the only female to have had sex with Will.

"Blue Collar TV," 7 p.m., WB. Tonight's sketches, logically enough, follow a Halloween theme.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A woman's body has been found in the park, after a sex party.

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The teams are supposed to design a recruiting campaign for the New York Police Department.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. Elizabeth Berkley, variously known for "Saved By the Bell" or "Showgirls," plays someone who won a TV makover show, then disappeared.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. This rerun from last season has Neela and Abby (Parminder Nagra and Maura Tierney) feeling the emotional agony of working in the neo-natal intensive care.