Posted on: Thursday, May 19, 2005

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"ER" season finale, 9 p.m., NBC. When "ER" began in 1994 Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle) was inexperienced and needed the nurses' help for the simplest procedures. Now he's a skilled pro, the most-veteran person in the emergency room. Tonight, he says goodbye. He may be back in specific episodes, but this is his last day working at the ER. A surprise party is planned, away from the hospital. Then Ray (Shane West) comes across a disaster. The victims soon fill the short-handed emergency room with Abby and Neela in charge. Separately, Kovac helps Sam search for her son, who wants to find his father. Meanwhile, Pratt finally confronts his dad, played by Danny Glover.

Of Note

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 7 p.m., CBS. This is the final Thursday of the season, which officially ends Wednesday. As a result, networks are loading up with season finales. This one was directed by Quentin Tarantino ("Pulp Fiction"), who also came up with the story. It has one of the investigators being kidnapped and buried alive.

"The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. The season finale begins with many of the adult characters in crisis.

"Will & Grace," 7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC. The season ends with key guest stars, including Eric Stoltz as Grace's former love and Alec Baldwin as Will's boss. Jack and Karen have a talk show.

"The Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The two finalists finish their tasks then head to the boardroom. There, one of them will become the "Apprentice" winner. Kendra Todd, 26, of Florida, started a business magazine and then made money dealing with real estate as an investment; Tana Goertz, 37, is an Iowa mom who had big success with Mary Kay cosmetics and became an entrepreneur.

"American Idol: The World's Worst Auditions," 8 p.m., Fox. Here is a variation on a special that Fox has done before. This time, it includes some bad auditions from other countries.

"Jeff Foxworthy: The Early Daze," 8 p.m., WB. Here are reruns of Foxworthy's old stand-up act, scheduled to follow a couple episodes of his "Blue Collar TV."

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. On the day when Vivian (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) faces heart surgery, her colleagues have a complex case in this season finale.