Posted on: Thursday, September 2, 2004

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

Republican convention, 4 p.m., ABC, NBC; 8 p.m., PBS; 9 p.m. CBS, and throughout the afternoon on cable news channels. Tonight the battle is joined. George Bush gives his acceptance speech, officially starting his re-election campaign. For the next two months, he and John Kerry will argue the future of the world. That, the networks have agreed, is worth an hour tonight.

"Will & Grace," 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC. "Will & Grace" plays a key role this season: It's one of only four comedies on a network that used to be filled with them. Tonight — a week before "Joey" debuts — NBC gives a nice "Will & Grace" spotlight. The first episode has Jack nearing graduation from nursing school. He asks Will to help with the speech; Will, a would-be playwright, throws himself deeply into character analysis. The second is stuffed with guest stars. Karen is marrying Lyle (John Cleese), whose brother (Tim Curry) visits. Rosario persuades Jennifer Lopez to perform. Leo races back. The one person missing is Grace. Debra Messing, who plays her, was in the late stages of pregnancy when this was shot.

Of Note

"Her Last Chance" (1996), 4 p.m., Lifetime. For years, Kellie Martin was the true star of TV movies, a gifted young actress who captured deep emotions. Here is one of her tougher roles; she plays a teen who has descended into drugs and alcohol — but not into the murder of which she's been accused.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A newlywed has been shot outside her new home and a teen has been killed at a construction site. It's a downer day.

"Father of the Pride," 8:30 p.m., NBC. Here's a second chance to see the show's debut, which aired Tuesday. In part, that's good news; "Pride" has a fresh approach, an offbeat wit and beautiful computer animation. And in part it's a disappointment; this script — about the efforts to get pandas mating — is so-so, at best.

"Blue Collar TV," 9 p.m., WB. This sketch-comedy show has received an order for 22 new episodes. Here, it reruns a pleasant half-hour, focusing on families.

"Reba," 9:30 p.m., WB. Barbara Jean thinks her husband, Brock, is having an affair. That's believable, since she and Brock had an affair when he was married to Reba.