Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Survivor: China," 7 p.m., CBS. After spending years in the Pacific, "Survivor" sharply changes its backdrop. Its 16 contestants will start in Shanghai, be whisked to a mountain temple and then go to the main setting. That's on separate islands, on a man-made lake in Jiangxi province. As usual, it's a colorful bunch. There's a giant grave digger and a tiny waitress. There's muscular Ashley Massaro, a wrestler who won the WWE's RAW Diva Search. There's poker pro Jean-Robert Bellande and Christian radio talk host Leslie Nease, plus a surfer, a lunch lady, a chicken farmer and more. The "immunity idol" gimmick returns, plus a new touch involving "kidnapping."
"My Name is Earl," 7 p.m., NBC. One week before the season opener, catch a rerun of the terrific season finale. Earl is finally an adult, with a job, apartment and girlfriend. Then comes a Joy-related crisis that changes everything.
OF NOTE
"The Tailor of Panama" (2001), 7 p.m., MyNetwork (KFVE). Here's a smart, thick story, from a John le Carre novel. A British spy (Pierce Brosnan) is moved to Panama City, where his contact (Geoffrey Rush) works all the angles.
"Ugly Betty," 7 p.m., ABC. In a rerun, Daniel continues his wayward ways. That could make it easier for Wilhelmina to take power from him.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," 7 and 7:30 p.m., FX; reruns at 8 and 8:30. In the first episode, Dennis and Dee fume because they're not inheriting much from their mother. That one is fairly broad and only moderately funny; the next one has some hilarious moments, when a feuding family takes everyone hostage.
"Grey's Anatomy," 8 p.m., ABC. Here's one more chance to see the season finale, stuffed with change and emotion. There's are decisions about the new chief of surgery and about the future of George and Callie. And there's the wedding day for Cristina and Burke. Some of this seems forced or contrived, but it brings deep emotion.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. The "miniature killer" has been identified, and the team goes in pursuit. There's a new problem, though: Sara in missing.
"The Office," 8 p.m., NBC. In this rerun, Michael still thinks he'll get the big promotion. Jim and Karen also go after it. One person from the office does get it - who that turns out to be is a big surprise.
"Burn Notice" season finale, 9 p.m., USA. This show, with its sprightly mixture of adventure and humor, wraps up its first season. Sam (Bruce Campbell), the retired spy, is held hostage by heroin smugglers. Michael (Jeffrey Donovan), the fired spy, must rescue him; alas, the smugglers are also the ones who can tell him why he suddenly lost his job.
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. With Kovac back in Croatia, visiting his sick father, a new chief (Stanley Tucci) brings change and trouble.