Posted on: Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. Sometimes, this show seems to be deliberately taunting Simon Cowell, its star judge. That would explain why it has a country-music night and a disco night. It also explains why, this year, it held auditions in Las Vegas, That's the hour that airs tonight. "The Road to Stardom With Missy Elliott," 5 p.m., UPN (KIKU). Shades of Idol-in-Vegas: Tonight, the young singers, most of them hip-hop fans, converge on Nashville. At a honky tonk, they're challenged to give old country songs a new flavor. "Lost," 7 p.m., ABC. Bowing to the power of the early "Idol" episodes, this hit show pauses for another rerun: Sayid is captured by a long-stranded French woman. "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search," 7 p.m., NBC. This reality show is down to its final four; now they face a surfing challenge. "The West Wing," 8 p.m., NBC. As the primary campaigning rolls into Iowa, Russell (Gary Cole), Vinick (Alan Alda) and Santos (Jimmy Smits) speak to a corn growers group. Josh, Santos' campaign manager, frets about whether he can ever make the guy electable. "The Simple Life: Interns," debut, 8 p.m., Fox. Here's the third incarnation of this show. Heiresses Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie try being mechanics and mailroom workers. "King of Queens," 8 p.m., CBS. Speaking of new jobs, Doug goes to bartender school. "Alias," 8 p.m., ABC. What would it be like if the Russians created a replica of Americana to teach its spies how to fit in? That plot was used for a 1989 John Travolta flop, "The Experts." Now it appears anew. "Auschwitz," 9 p.m., PBS. Here's the midportion of this three-week, six-hour documentary. "Wife Swap," 9 p.m., ABC. A man runs an all-male business firmly; a woman runs an all-female business warmly. Tonight, they switch roles. "Katie Couric Special: Teens & Sex," 9 p.m., NBC. The "Today" host steps into prime time for this hour. "CSI: NY," 9 p.m., CBS. A man who was beaten to death has tattoos indicating he's in the mob.
Of Note
