Posted on: Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Empire," 9 p.m., ABC. In last week's two-hour opener, Octavius — a lover, not a fighter — was thrust into danger. His slain uncle, Julius Caesar, chose him as his successor — and told gladiator Tyrannus to protect him. A cunning Marc Anthony promptly killed most of Octavius' supporters. Tonight, the young man and his bodyguard sink deeper, surviving only because they're disguised as servants. It's the weakest of the "Empire" hours, sort of an arbitrary detour, but still worth catching.

"Rescue Me," 7 p.m., FX. As last week's episode ended, the life of Tommy (Denis Leary) was still crumbling. Would he ever get back his runaway wife and their kids? Would he ever undo his transfer and get back to the grimy, gritty New York firehouse he loves? Tonight, one of those matters gets settled in a way that seems too convenient. Meanwhile, romances get more complicated for Franco, Laura and Mike. "Rescue Me" remains remarkably rich and well-crafted.

Of Note

"Watch the Skies," 2, 4:30 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. Some documentaries have dozens of talking heads; this one has only four, but they are the world's best: Directors Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, James Cameron and Ridley Scott discuss the science-fiction movies they grew up on. It's a varied field, with low-budget gems amid a pile of goofiness. Film critic Richard Schickel has crafted an exceptionally smart documentary.

"The Thing From Another World" (1951), 3 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. After hearing Spielberg and others praise this film, viewers can instantly catch it. At an Arctic base, people dig up a creature — played by James Arness, four years before his "Gunsmoke" fame.

"Average Joe 4," 7 p.m., NBC. This is only a six-week series, so the pace is accelerated. In this second episode, the handsome hunks arrive and face the Joes. Also, the show unveils its new twist, giving one of the rejects a drastic makeover.

"The New Heroes," 8 p.m., PBS. The second half of this documentary looks at ways in which business smarts and social goodness can merge. A banker makes loans to penniless people. A sewing cooperative makes high-fashion clothes.