‘Married’ highlights wedding workers
The Good Book tells us that marriage is to be entered into reverently and not to be taken lightly. But nobody said anything about being married by a justice dolled up as Elvis, The Godfather or Austin Powers.
“Married in Vegas” (10 p.m., A&E) chronicles the oddly colorful characters who toil in the gambling mecca’s wedding industry.
Ron, one of the “stars” of “Vegas,” is a regular multitasker: He can double as both Elvis and Merlin. He also cleans out the bathrooms for his blushing brides and eager grooms.
Folks like Ron perform an average of 315 weddings per day, including well-thought-out “theme” ceremonies as well as sloppy ceremonies between impulsive brides and grooms, who may or may not remember that they’ve tied the knot.
“The Fire Next Time” on “P.O.V.” (10 p.m., KSPS) explores changing times in the Flathead Valley of northwestern Montana. Once considered an idyllic hideaway, it has seen an influx of celebrity homeowners and retirees who have driven up real estate prices.
Resentment of outsiders coincides with the decline of the logging and mining industries and rising unemployment.
Tensions increase after an incendiary talk-radio host arrives and begins to blame environmentalists for job losses, economic dislocation and even forest fires. He repeatedly calls environmentalists “Nazis” and “green slime” while revealing the home addresses of residents he considers “the enemy.”
A local activist is found drowned in shallow water on her own property. A teen is nearly killed when her parents’ car is sabotaged.
Then police uncover a militia’s cache of hundreds of weapons along with a hit list of environmentalists and politicians.
While “Fire” is an unsettling film, it places emphasis on the efforts of people to speak out against hatred even as their lives are being threatened.
“Fire” also asks provocative questions about the media’s role in fraying the fabric of civil society. The language employed by the Montana host is not terribly different from that of Rush Limbaugh, who has frequently labeled feminists as Nazis, or Sean Hannity, who equates liberalism with terrorism, or Ann Coulter, who has said she wished terrorists had blown up The New York Times building.
If we had a nickel for every time Limbaugh, Hannity and Coulter use the word “enemy” to describe their fellow Americans, we’d all be millionaires. Yet all three have been embraced and rewarded by big-media corporations with radio, television and book deals.
The president of the United States has even called Rush Limbaugh a “great American.”
Other highlights
“Average Joe: The Joes Strike Back” (8 p.m., NBC) offers the fourth helping of an idea that didn’t have two seasons in it.
The National and American Leagues tangle in the 2005 All Star Game (5 p.m., Fox), live from Commercia Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. What on earth is a “commerica”?
Ivy League secrets on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
Ace reporter Julie Chen hosts “Big Brother 6” (9 p.m., CBS).
“Wide Angle” (9 p.m., KSPS) enters a new season with “Beslan: Siege of School No. 1,” an account of a terrorist attack on a Russian grammar school that left hundreds dead.
Performers audition on “Rock Star: INXS” (10 p.m., CBS).
Kyle MacLachlan guest-stars on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A snake proves less than charming on “Empire” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
After a wild bachelor party, a cartoonist (Jack Lemmon) finds himself married to the girl (Verna Lisi) who jumped out of the cake in the 1965 comedy “How to Murder Your Wife” (5 p.m., Turner Classic Movies).
Series notes
Yoga madness on “My Wife and Kids” (8 p.m., ABC) … Counseling on “One on One” (8 p.m., UPN) … Baseball and compassion on “George Lopez” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … A kiss is still a kiss on “All of Us” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
The mother of the world’s rudest celebrity offers advice on “I Want to Be a Hilton” (9 p.m., NBC) … Jim gets misty at a woman’s picture on “According to Jim” (9 p.m., ABC) … Maya feels confident on “Girlfriends” (9 p.m., UPN) … You’ve got to be cruel to be coach on “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., WB).
Choices on “Half & Half” (9:30 p.m., UPN) … Halloween misdeeds on “Rodney” (9:30 p.m., ABC).