President in the convention spotlight
No question about the show of the night.
Tonight at 7, all eyes will be on Madison Square Garden in New York as President George W. Bush accepts his party’s nomination for a second term.
You can’t say it’s the most important speech he’s made.
He faced the nation at far more important moments right after Sept. 11, 2001, and again as the war in Iraq began.
But it may be the most important speech of this very close campaign, as he works to convince key undecided voters that his course over the past four years has been the right one.
Expect a ringing defense of the war on terror and the Iraq situation, plenty of optimism about the economy and some sharp-edged criticism of opponent John Kerry.
This is the kind of moment when a new catchphrase or a verbal stumble can change the course of the campaign.
The wild card, of course, is security, with terror fears high and demonstrators of all stripes determined to be heard. There’s a chance that the night’s biggest news could be outside the hall.
ABC, CBS and NBC will sign on at 7. C-SPAN will carry gavel-to-gavel coverage, and KSPS and the galaxy of cable news channels will mix coverage and analysis throughout the evening.
Highlights
“Extreme Makeover,” ABC at 8: A repeat followed by a special, “Secrets of Extreme Makeover,” to help you get on the show or create your own extreme makeover.
“Big Brother,” CBS at 8: Unlikable contestants. Security cameras. Moronic game challenges. Fun, fun, fun.
“Big Momma’s House” (2000), Fox at 10:30: Martin Lawrence in a dress and an attitude as an FBI agent on an undercover mission. Actually he’s pretty funny. But the rest of it is strictly by-the-numbers.
“Will & Grace,” NBC at 9: Back-to-back repeats, with Jack’s graduation from nursing school and Jennifer Lopez dropping by for Karen’s Las Vegas wedding — 90 minutes.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS at 9: The body of a teenager is found at a construction site. Repeat.
“Father of the Pride,” NBC at 10:30: Repeat of last night’s pilot episode of the computer-animated comedy about the animals in Siegfried & Roy’s act. No, really.
Family Fare
“Tiger Cruise,” Disney Channel at 8: Maddie Dolan (Hayden Panettiere) is onboard her dad’s (Bill Pullman) aircraft carrier on Sept. 11, 2001, and it changes her opinion about his job.
Cable Cast
“Under the Tuscan Sun” (2003), Starz at 7: Diane Lane stars in a beautiful, well-acted chick flick.
She’s a burned-out and bummed-out American who finds love in the Italian countryside.
College football, ESPN at 4:30: Texas A&M at Utah.
“Old School” (2003), Cinemax at 10: Full-bore Will Ferrell comedy finds him and pals (Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn) trying to recapture college glory days by starting their own frat.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Tim Russert and musical guest Snow Patrol.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Ellen DeGeneres.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Repeat with Julie Delpy, Sacha Baron Cohen of “Da Ali G Show” and musical guest Incubus.
“Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35: Dave Chappelle and Rose Byrne.