Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
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TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE
"Chuck," 9 p.m., NBC. In the midst of a strike, NBC suddenly remembers two new episodes of one of the year's best new shows. Chuck, a tech guy at the Buy More store, accidentally absorbed top secrets. Now he's a reluctant secret agent. In tonight's first hour, he urges fellow agent Casey to pursue a former girlfriend, now dating an arms dealer. In the second, he's in danger of being sent away by the CIA. Meanwhile, both hours involve Chuck's sister and her boyfriend, Captain Awesome.
OF NOTE
"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader," 7 p.m., Fox. The Super Bowl is still 10 days away, but Fox wants to get us in a party mood. Tonight, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders help out.
"Ugly Betty," 7 p.m., ABC. Betty has a big chance to interview a writer, but things go wrong. Meanwhile, Daniel finds a connection with his new girlfriend (Gabrielle Union).
"CSI: NY," 7 p.m., CBS. A murder happened in the hospital where Hawkes used to work. The teen victim had apparently caused an accident while driving drunk.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A hanging victim was a young man who resembled a woman.
"Celebrity Apprentice," 8 p.m., NBC. The celebrities are supposed to set up booths to sell Broadway tickets. One even dresses in a suit of armor. Along the way, one of this show's flaws returns: It's too easy to throw the game off-balance by simply asking a rich friend to drop a bundle for charity.
"Grey's Anatomy," 8 p.m., ABC. In the rerun of a so-so episode, George and Izzie grapple for some physical chemistry to match their emotional warmth.
"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. This rerun involves a woman who feels her son is a prisoner in Guatemala.
"Breaking Bad" (AMC) or "The Wire" (HBO), both 8 p.m. Two excellent cable hours rerun here. AMC offers the offbeat tale of a somber chemistry teacher who creates a rolling meth lab. HBO has McNulty continue his mad plan to create a phony serial killer; meanwhile, the Baltimore newspaper is rocked by new cutbacks.
"Big Shots," 9:02 p.m., ABC. James and Katie (Michael Vartan and Nia Long) struggle to make their relationship work.