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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cast rescues weak ‘Gary’ script

By MIKE HUGHES Gannett News Service

Tonight’s might-see

“Gary Unmarried,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. TV loves throwing mismatched people together.

This episode has it flaws, with heavy-handed jokes. Soon, however, it has clever character moments, maneuvered by master director James Burrows.

The former husband and wife (Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall) have something new to snipe about: Whose home has the Thanksgiving dinner?

Mixed in are his free-spirited dad (Max Gail) and her timid dad (Martin Mull) and stern mom (Jane Curtin). Gifted people overcome a so-so script.

Tonight’s might-see II

“Rosie Live,” 8 p.m., NBC. Rosie O’Donnell offers a pilot for what could be an old-style variety series.

She plans to start big, doing a song-and-dance number with Liza Minnelli. There’s more music from Alanis Morissette, Ne-Yo and possibly Gloria Estefan, plus comic moments from Kathy Griffin, Jane Krakowski and Alec Baldwin.

Other choices include

“Monarchy: Royal Family at Work,” 7-9 p.m., KSPS. This three-week series wraps up with warm looks at the royal family. The first hour views a garden party by Queen Elizabeth II. The second follows her children and offers attractive views of her grandsons doing charity work.

“World Magic Awards,” 8 p.m., MyNetwork. This includes top magicians (Lance Burton, Hans Klok, The Amazing Jonathan) and a smart host (Neil Patrick Harris) who really seems to love magic.

“Bones,” 8 p.m., Fox. Brennan frets because her dad (Ryan O’Neal) has been hired to teach at the institute.

“House,” 9 p.m., Fox. Here’s the second half of last year’s brilliant season-finale. Battered by an accident, Dr. House is trying to recall details of a passenger whose life is in danger.

“Law & Order,” 10 p.m., NBC. In a late change, NBC is resting “Knight Rider,” moving the others and inserting this hour. The death of a construction worker leads to a probe of a cost-cutting contractor.

“Vanguard,” 10 p.m., Current TV or www.current.com. Scrambling for resources to fuel its economy spurt, China has started playing a huge role in Africa. Mariana van Zeller went to Angola for this report.

Mike Hughes covers television for the Lansing State (Mich.) Journal and Gannett News Service. Reach him at mhughes@lsj.com.