Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2005
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"That's So Raven," 7:30 p.m., Disney Channel. Let's credit this series for tackling serious material at the start of Black History Month. Raven applies for a job at an upscale clothing store, her favorite kind of place. When she's rejected — and her dippy white friend is hired — both of them investigate and find out Raven may have been passed over because of race.
Meanwhile, her brother fumes about eating soul food — "no pizza for a month?" — and writing a black history essay. Things fall into place easily. You expect that from a supernatural show in which Raven read minds. Still, this is a worthy effort. And it's great fun to see Raven, now 19, disguised as a bald businessman. "Super Bowl Commercials vs. the World," 7 p.m., CBS. Two days before the Super Bowl, we view famous commercials from the past, plus ones from overseas. "8 Simple Rules," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. With "Complete Savages" benched until March this show does double duty. First is a new episode, a "Freaky Friday" take-off in which Cate (Katey Sagal) changes identity with her sexy daughter Bridget (Kaley Cuoco). Then comes a rerun in which each of the three kids has a secret. "The Bernie Mac Show," 7 and 7:30 p.m., Fox. First is a rerun with Bernie backing an effort to give social skills to kids. Then is a rerun in which his nephew joins a football team, but has no intention of playing. "Third Watch," 8 p.m., NBC. Already in sorrow, Finney is pressed into action. A boy he knows has been kidnapped by his dad, who has already stabbed the kid's mother. "Hope & Faith," 8 p.m., ABC. Rue McClanahan ("Golden Girls") guest stars. She's hiding in the trunk of the sisters' car in order to escape from a nursing home. "Medical Investigation," 9 p.m., NBC. An ailment seems to spread quickly among policemen and two children. "Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. Now this show has its own epidemic. When a virus spreads among unrelated people, Charlie scrambles to find a common link.
Of Note
