Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Tim McGraw: Reflected," 7 p.m., NBC. There's a sweet irony when we see Tim McGraw in his farm home singing the Hank Williams classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." This is what we expect from country stars, songs filled with pain. In real life, however, McGraw seems to have ducked the usual agony. He's married to glowing country star Faith Hill and they have three daughters. At 38, he can be country-rowdy one moment, big-city sophisticated the next. This terrific special, moved from Wednesday night, starts and ends warmly: McGraw sings his classic "Live Like You Were Dying" at the Avalon in New York. He sings "My Little Girl" with an orchestra in his home. In between it bounces between city and country, between a raucous concert and quiet moments. McGraw and Hill do informal duets, even chiding each other. McGraw also chats with Hank Williams Jr.; he says this Hank, not the senior one, was his hero. A rowdy guy with depth, McGraw seems to channel all of Nashville's best Hanks.
OF NOTE
"Stand Up Nation With Greg Giraldo," 6 p.m., Comedy Central. This series has the clever Greg Giraldo doing in-studio humor between tapes of stand-up comics. Tonight it includes John Caparulo, Christian Finnegan, Kevin Hart and Nick Swardson.
"The Bernie Mac Show," 7 and 7:30 p.m., Fox. In the first episode, Bernie is excited when Jordan has a girlfriend, then gets upset when she dumps him. In the second, Wanda's birthday party is dominated by her self-centered sister (Shar Jackson). Serena Williams and Anthony Anderson put in appearances.
"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. After a head injury, Melinda no longer sees ghosts. She has mixed feelings about possibly losing her gift.
"Close to Home," 8 p.m., CBS. Annabeth's high school classmate dies during a football game. Tests show it might have been murder.
"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Danny has recently managed to stay away from the boss' beautiful daughter, Delinda. Now, however, they're falling in love. Things get complicated when her mother shows up with Delinda's college sweetheart (Shawn Christian).
"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. After a mass high school shooting, Charlie traces the movements and decides there were three shooters, not two.
"Conviction," 9 p.m., NBC. Amid the usual tough cases, including ones involving rape and drugs, there are the personal stories: Cabot has her engagement party; Finn and Peluso try to go on a date.
— Mike Hughes, Gannett News Service