Killings of Russian reporters probed
PBS “Wide Angle” on KSPS looks at stories and places too often overlooked or merely skimmed by most TV news organizations — a conscious attempt to broaden viewers’ focus in the post-Sept. 11 world.
Tonight at 9, the show tackles “The Russian Newspaper Murders,” a look at just how dangerous journalism can be in post-communist Russia.
Probing the connections between organized crime, corrupt government officials and new-style Russian business moguls can be a death sentence. In the past four years, “Wide Angle” says, more than a dozen reporters have been murdered in Russia, but none of their killers has been brought to justice.
“Wide Angle” explores the story tonight through the industrial city of Togliatti.
The host is Mishal Husain, BBC Washington correspondent and anchor of “BBC World News.”
Highlights
“Big Brother 5,” CBS at 8: Julie Chen hosts the summer reality series that makes “Fear Factor” look like a rollicking good time.
“Friends,” NBC at 8: Back-to-back repeats, the first with Christina Applegate as Rachel’s sister, the second with Phoebe’s wedding.
“Pepsi Smash,” WB at 8: Studio performances by Nelly and the Calling, plus a taped look at Sting’s performance here in Massachusetts last week.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS at 9: Repeat finds the body of an inmate tied to the bottom of a prison bus. An escape gone horribly wrong? Or something even more sinister?
“Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital,” ABC at 9: For the eight people still watching this limited-run series, tonight Rickman has a vision of the hospital’s ultimate fate.
“Will & Grace,” NBC at 9:25: Repeat with Will and Jack going to cooking class. The fun here, though, is canny Dave Foley as Jack’s new boyfriend.
“PrimeTime Thursday,” ABC at 10.
“Without a Trace,” CBS at 10: A school bus disappears on the first day of classes. Repeat.
“Las Vegas,” NBC at 10: After seeing his charismatic bad guy in “The Cooler” (2003), you’d think everyone in Vegas would keep their distance from Alec Baldwin. But tonight he pops up on this repeat as a security consultant and old friend of Ed, who installs a new security system at the hotel.
Family Fare
“Freaky Friday” (2003), Starz at 7:30: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan star as mom and daughter who change bodies in this surprise hit comedy. Rated PG.
Cable Cast
“Capturing the Friedmans” (2003), HBO at 9: The controversial documentary that used home movies to explore a family in which the father and son faced child sex abuse charges.
“Celebrity Poker Showdown,” Bravo at 10: Jennie Garth, rocker Dave Navarro and Jerry O’Connell are among the semicelebs playing for their favorite charities. But the early betting is on Richard Kind to be the funniest one.
“Kevin & Drew Unleashed,” Discovery at 10: Premiere of a travel-show-in-an-RV, starring a popular pair of contestants from the first season of “The Amazing Race.” This has to be the reality-show contestant’s dream, huh — getting your own series.