Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"Everybody Loves Raymond," 8 p.m., CBS. This terrific show is only two weeks away from its season finale. Chances are, the last three episodes will be intelligent, truthful and funny, as usual. Tonight, Ray hatches a strategy of spurning his wife's sexual advances, not his habit.

"Murder at the Presidio," 9 p.m., USA Network. USA has done a solid job with mysteries taken from true stories. We can't vouch for their accuracy, but they do create strong drama. This one is set in the final days of the Presidio, a once-splendid Army post in San Francisco. There have been burglaries at base housing. One break-in led to the murder of a soldier's wife. Officials shrug it off, but one man from the Criminal Investigation Division (Lou Diamond Phillips) persists. He gets encouragement from the victim's brother (Jason Priestley) and romance from a gorgeous MP (Victoria Pratt). The story requires some lucky breaks, but it still adds up to a solid, involving tale.

Of Note

"Fear Factor," 7 p.m., NBC. Four teams of friends compete. One stunt has drivers racing toward each other head on. They'll be flipped over before colliding (one hopes). The winner is the one who skids the farthest.

"Still Standing," 7 p.m., CBS. Judy enjoys her annual Mother's Day tea, but this year brings complications: Her teen daughter will be there, unenthusiastically.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. Last week, the new president (formerly the vice president) had Jack arrested. Now ex-President Palmer has a counter-scheme. This has been a very long day.

"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's another lesson for bridegrooms: Don't lose the wedding ring at a brothel. That happens tonight to a guy played by Dave Foley.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. Kathy Baker ("Picket Fences") arrives as Allison's mother-in-law.