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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2007

Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Raines," debut, 9 p.m., NBC. Jeff Goldblum plays a troubled homicide detective who talks with dead victims. Don't expect a "Ghost Whisperer" or "Medium," though. These chats are strictly in his imagination; he only hears things he already knew, at least subconsciously. But can see them. In this opener, Alexa Davalos ("Reunion") creates a layered view of a young victim. A strong supporting cast includes Madeleine Stowe and Malik Yoba. Producer-writer Graham Yost ("Boomtown") gives this show — which eventually moves to Fridays — a solid intelligence.

"Andy Barker, P.I." debut, 8:30 p.m., NBC. Andy Richter plays a mild-mannered accountant who accidentally becomes a private eye. That notion starts slowly in tonight's pilot. There are some good scenes — especially with a dreary records clerk — and some dull ones. Stick around, though. The clerk (Nicole Randall Johnson) will be back in future episodes, and an old private eye (Harve Presnell) will have more to do. In a quiet, low-key way, "Andy Barker" will become fairly amusing.

OF NOTE

"Addiction," 6 p.m., HBO. Repeats at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, noon Tuesday, more. This combines nine films from such top documentary makers as Barbara Kopple, Rory Kennedy and Jon Albert. That provides the centerpiece for an ambitious project, studying all sides of addiction. There will also be 13 other short films on HBO2, an overall DVD set (March 20) and a companion book.

"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" 7 p.m., Fox. Beginning tonight, this show exists without a handy "American Idol" lead-in.

"The Office," 7 p.m., NBC. This rerun has staffers doing sales calls in mismatched teams of two. Meanwhile, Dwight tries to cover a mistake by his secret love, Angela.

"Ugly Betty," 7 p.m., ABC. Betty takes her orthodontist as a date for a party. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina stirs dissension between Daniel and his sister, who used to be his brother.

"The Showbiz Show" return, 7:30 p.m., Comedy Central. David Spade hosts, again taking shots at the people in his business.

"Grey's Anatomy," 8 p.m., ABC. The push to become the new chief of surgery is serious now. And an extra candidate jumps in.

"October Road," 9 p.m., ABC. Nick (Bryan Greenberg) left his little home town at 18 for a six-week backpacking trip and never returned. Eventually, he turned his friends and his lover (Laura Prepon) into the characters in a best-selling novel. Now he's back at 28, drawing hesitant responses. This film has some credibility gaps, plus too many characters who speak in the same character-in-a-book style. By the end of the hour, however, we care about them and are ready to try again next week.