Posted on: Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Lost," 7 p.m., ABC. After way too many reruns, this excellent show has a new episode. Charlie agonizes in his efforts to help the still pregnant Claire. She's escaped from her ordeal, but can't remember what happened. "Slavery and the Making of America," 9 p.m., PBS; concludes next week. In the 1640s, three indentured servants escaped from a Virginia tobacco farm and were caught. The white men had a few extra years added to their servitude. The black man, John Punch, was sentenced to servitude for life. Many other societies had slavery, this richly researched documentary says, but America's became among the most racially based.
In the Revolutionary War, more blacks fought for the British than for the slave-owning rebels. One became the leader of a powerful unit of guerrilla raiders. By the second hour of this report, we meet black activists. David Walker, born free, wrote and spoke passionately. Mum Bett sued for her freedom; she won and Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1783. "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Watch" finale, 7 p.m., NBC. This show, a ratings failure, finishes up. Two women vie for a $1 million contract, including a spot in Sports Illustrated. "The Simple Life: Interns," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Paris and Nicole work at an airline. "American Idol," 8 p.m., Fox. Tryouts continue in Hollywood. "The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. With the president's health shaky, C.J. is reluctant to awaken him during a crisis. Iran has mistakenly shot down a British airliner, killing 100 passengers. The British leader wants to retaliate by bombing Iran's nuclear reactors. "Alias," 8 p.m., ABC. It's weird-twist time. After being bitten by the test subject in an experiment, Sydney begins acting crazy. "Wife Swap," 9 p.m., ABC. This show takes a serious turn tonight. On one side is a Texas wife who is in an interracial relationship but stridently opposed to homosexuality. On the other is an Arizona woman in a lesbian relationship. The Texas woman's husband seems easygoing and tolerant; the Arizona woman's partner enrages easily. There are angry, ugly moments; however, there are some signs that humanity will prevail. "Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. Paula Devicq ("Party of Five") plays a young widow whose complex romantic life complicates the murder investigation.
Of Note
