Posted on: Friday, September 24, 2004
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"8 Simple Rules" season opener, 7 p.m., ABC. Bridget is usually considered sexy, not savvy. Still, she starts the school year as class president; problems follow, in a fairly funny episode. Also showing up at school are her little brother, now a nervous freshman, her sister and even her mother. The mom has a history with the principal (Adam Arkin). "Dr. Vegas" debut, 9 p.m., CBS. The good news is that this series avoids sugar-coating. It presents a Las Vegas that covers the extremes, a fun place that can also ruin lives. The bad news is that this first hour spins lots of stories at us, none of them terribly engaging. At the core is a doctor (Rob Lowe) who was in trouble elsewhere. Now his friend (the wonderful Joe Pantoliano) has given him a second chance. The doc has his own little clinic, inside a massive Vegas casino-hotel complex. We meet lots of interesting people there, including a brainy beauty who is trying to put herself through college by working in the casino. There's potential, but the pilot falls short. "Joan of Arcadia" season opener, 7 p.m., CBS. Last season ended with Joan and both of her parents experiencing crises of faith. That continues tonight as Joan returns from summer therapy that is supposed to rid her of hallucinations. "Complete Savages" debut, 7:30 p.m., ABC. Keith Carradine provides the steadying force here as a single dad trying to raise a house full of teenage sons. The boys, alas, are mostly a predictable bunch. Tonight's pilot film (directed by Mel Gibson, the show's producer) seems interesting only when they quiet down enough to help each other. "JAG" season opener, 8 p.m., CBS. Mac feels she may be a target for assassins. "Hope & Faith" season opener, 8 p.m., ABC. Faith (Kelly Ripa) has finally gone too far. In this funny show, her sister's husband insists she move out. "Third Watch," 8 p.m., NBC. Aidan Quinn arrives as the new boss of Cruz, who has been causing trouble. "Medical Investigation," 9 p.m., NBC. In one small town, several kids have come down with an extreme muscular disorder.
Of Note
