TV Tonight: Post-strike 'Rescue Me' still going strong

Tonight's must-see: "Rescue Me," 10 p.m., FX.
In its second episode of the season, we're reminded just how good "Rescue Me" can be.
Last week's opener -- ending a 19-month gap, extended by the writers' strike -- was very good; this one is brilliant. It demonstrates a dazzling ability to leap between tragedy and comedy.
Denis Leary, the star and co-creator, has long monologs at both extremes. One has Tommy Gavin's constrained view on Sept. 11 memories; the other is a free-flowing look at the faults of ... well, everyone.
The Sept. 11 reflections also have moving moments from Lt. Shea (John Scurti), but then the humor returns.
Catch the self-centered Sheila (Callie Thorne) as she tries to be a Big Sister. Or Tommy at the hearing that could dump him on "Section 8" mental grounds. Or Tommy confronting his ex-wife's new lover.
That last character is played by Michael J. Fox. Two wonderful actors frolic wonderfully, as guys consumed by pride, foolishness and testosterone.
Tonight's must-see II: "Nova: Doctors' Diaries" conclusion, 8 p.m., Channel 23 (PBS).
This ambitious documentary has traced seven people for 21 years, from their days at the Harvard Medical School.
Early on, one decided to be an anesthesiologist, so he could have regular hours and a family life. There may have been logic there; he's apparently the only one of the seven who has had a long marriage. Several of the doctors have had divorces (one is on his fourth marriage) and setbacks. Still, there is a stirring sense of service here. Blessed with smarts and education, most of these people have spent all or some of their careers helping the poor.
Other choices
? "American Idol," 8 p.m., Channel 47 (Fox). Last week, Scott MacIntyre - once considered a front-runner - was eliminated. Now the final seven contestants perform songs from movies. Quentin Tarantino - who is a writer-director ("Pulp Fiction") and an "American Idol" fan - is the mentor.
? "NCIS" and "The Mentalist," 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Channel 6 (CBS). Both shows have reruns tonight. "NCIS" has a confrontation with Gibbs' old FBI colleague (Joe Spano); "Mentalist" involves the death of a football player who has angered a self-proclaimed witch.
? "Deadliest Catch" season-opener, 9 p.m., Discovery Channel. "Alaska Week" brings back this reality show, finding the captains in crisis. Some must make up for expensive ship renovations; two are awaiting medical news that could sideline them for this entire, intense fishing season.
? "Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment" debut, 10:01 p.m., Discovery Channel. Nine strangers are plunked into a white wilderness; each has little except a compass, a change of clothes, a sleeping bag and the first piece of a rudimentary map. If they fail to find food, they starve; the only alternative is a panic button that lets them quit. The result is a reality show that is sobering and surprisingly well-done; working in demanding conditions, cameramen have captured a strong portrait of people in crisis.
? "Cupid," 10:02 p.m., Channel 53 (ABC). Here's a challenge for the guy who says he's Cupid: A teen wants his free-spirited mother to link with the macho guy who is (via sperm donation) his biological father; the two, however, face a political impasse. Meanwhile, Sarah (Cupid's therapist) has a new roommate - her mother (Julie Haggerty), who has a lot in common with Cupid.





Supernatural dvd
The sopranos seasons 1-6 dvd box set