Posted on: Thursday, January 20, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"The Apprentice" season-opener, 7:30 p.m., NBC. The third chapter begins with the combination producer Mark Burnett had wanted from the be-ginning: On one side are people with "book smarts" and on the other are "street smarts," go-getters who lack college education. Their first task takes them to Burger King to work the grill.

"Point Pleasant," Fox, or "My Date With the President's Daughter" (1998), Disney Channel, both 8 p.m. Tonight, we can bounce back and forth in the career of actress Elisabeth Harnois. She was a child star who danced and sang five days a week in the Disney Channel's "Adventures in Wonderland." In that channel's movie, she plays the president's 16-year-old daughter, ready to date an ordinary chap (Will Friedle). And nowadays? In last night's "Point Pleasant" debut, she was a mystery beauty washing up on the shore of a seaside town. Tonight, as the show settles into its regular slot, the annual boat parade brings more trouble for her character.

Of Local Note

"Ice II: Life Or Meth," 8 p.m., PBS. A rebroadcast of filmmaker Edgy Lee's documentary on Hawai'i's crystal methamphetamine problem; the film aired statewide back in December.

Of Note

"Presidential Inauguration," coverage begins at 5 a.m., on ABC, CBS and NBC, plus cable news channels. President Bush will be sworn in for his second term at 7 a.m. That's followed by his speech and, at about 9:30 a.m., his Pennsylvania Avenue parade. News channels will focus on it all day.

"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. Now that he's on a TV series, Joey keeps being told he should have a personal assistant. Meanwhile, Michael's friend has patented the invention they created together.

"The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. Ryan fumes because the alcoholic Marissa took Lindsay out on a drinking spree. Meanwhile, Sandy scrambles to fix the battered reputation of his father-in-law's company.

"Life As We Know It," 7 p.m., ABC. On the sophomore school trip there are endless complications. Dino is trying to win back Jackie. Mike and Deb make up excuses. And Sue keeps trying to hide her romance with Ben from her dad, who disapproves.

"Wickedly Perfect," 7 p.m., CBS. The high-taste people find themselves on a camping trip.

"You've Got Mail" (1998), 7 p.m., TBS. A mild story becomes thoroughly enjoyable, thanks to the charm of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks and the direction of Nora Ephron. The 1940 "Shop Around the Corner," written by Ephron's parents, was adapted into this tale of Internet dating.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. The emergency room has double trouble — low patient satisfaction scores and a malpractice lawyer who's setting up shop in the waiting room. Now a crisis brings in two teens who were shot. Kovac, Neela and Sam treat one; Lewis, Pratt and Ray take care of the other.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. In a rerun, a man who believed he'd once been abducted by aliens is now missing. Meanwhile, Jack prepares for a bitter divorce.