Posted on: Monday, March 21, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. Tonight, we learn which episode viewers picked as the second-best "Raymond" ever. Last week's episode — Marie accidentally drives her car into Ray's house — was hilarious. That was picked as third best; earlier, we saw a suitcase standoff (No. 4) and Robert getting down with black culture (No. 5). Stick around. In its final season, "Raymond" continues to delight.

"Mom at Sixteen," 7 p.m., Lifetime. For the first hour, this movie sputters along painfully. Danielle Panabaker plays a smart teen whose life was transformed by her pregnancy. Mercedes Ruehl plays her mom, obsessed with keeping it all secret. They've moved to another school district, where people think Ruehl, not Panabaker, is the baby's mother. Meanwhile, a teacher (Jane Krakowski) is unable to get pregnant. Plot points are telegraphed. After this weak start, however, "Mom" works well. In the final hour, it has several scenes rich with emotional impact.

Of Note

"Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. Tonight's contestants are models, male and female. They swim against the tide (literally), dangle from a helicopter and more.

"Still Standing," 7 p.m., CBS. Bill is not pleased that his new boss is 23.

"Listen Up," 7:30 p.m., CBS. Because of his semi-celebrity status, Tony (Jason Alexander) ends up in a community play, opposite his daughter.

"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. In a rerun, Danny and Mary head to Los Angeles amid rumors that they will marry. Meanwhile, Ed and Mike probe a kidnapping, setting off a painful memory for Mike.

"Two and a Half Men," 8:30 p.m., CBS. Jeri Ryan guests as a beauty who, against all tradition, prefers Alan to Charlie.

"Las Vegas Garden of Love" debut, 9:30 p.m., ABC Family. This amiable-enough reality series centers on a 15-year-old boy who shoots videos at a family-run wedding chapel. Nothing terribly interesting happens, but it's kind of fun to see this overly busy teen head out on a first date.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. During an illness, Allison becomes obsessed with reruns of a TV series, "I Married a Mind Reader." The show was canceled after one of the stars (played by Frances Fisher) was killed.