Demo convention will grab coverage

Demo convention will grab coverage

tv tonight

By Joel Brown

New York Times Syndicate

Up here in Boston, we've been battening down the hatches for weeks in anticipation of the 2004 Democratic Convention.

Tonight the festivities get under way and pop up on a television near you.

Due to the threat of terrorism, the city is practically shutting down each night, but to the big networks, the whole event is a photo op barely worthy of their attention.

ABC, CBS and NBC will each give the convention an hour tonight at 7. Bill Clinton's speech is expected to be the prime-time highlight at the FleetCenter.

PBS and the entire panoply of cable news and information channels will devote considerably more time to the events, with dedicated convention coverage or special convention editions of regular programs, many originating in Boston, beginning at 5.

C-SPAN will carry gavel-to-gavel coverage beginning at 3 p.m.

Many folks, of course, will learn everything they feel they need to know from "The Daily Show," on Comedy Central at 11.

If you happen to have access to Al Jazeera on your satellite dish, that might offer another interesting perspective. The Arab cable news channel has a booth at the FleetCenter.

The big news, of course, is the march to the nomination of John Kerry and John Edwards.

But ongoing sideshows that might make the telecast include: the closing of several miles of major highways downtown, suggesting a massive traffic nightmare; combative contract talks between Boston and its police union, which threatens angry police picket lines outside the convention; the arrival of firebrand filmmaker Michael Moore to stir things up; and much more.

And you're going to choose "Fear Factor"?

Highlights

Sitcom reruns, ABC at 8: "My Wife and Kids," "George Lopez," "According to Jim" and "Hope & Faith."

"Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS at 8: Repeat. Michael spends the day with Dad.

"North Shore," Fox at 8: Repeat of the pilot episode.

"Fear Factor," NBC at 9: Repeat of the continuing couples contest, as the men must dive into a trash bin in search of gross food items that they'll transfer to their mates, who'll try to swallow it the fastest. Lovely.

Followed at 10 by "For Love or Money."

"Two and a Half Men," CBS at 8:30: Repeat. Charlie and Alan go to Jake's soccer game. Well, Charlie's there for the women.

"CSI: Miami," CBS at 9: Multiple shooting in a bar. Repeat.

"The Casino," Fox at 9: Dealer Tommy gets promoted to casino host, and it causes him much agita.

Family Fare

"7th Heaven," WB at 8: There's something about Mary, and the gossip affects the family in different ways. Repeat.

"Summerland," WB at 9: Will Bradin run away with his hot new girlfriend? Repeat.

Cable Cast

Baseball, ESPN at 4: St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds.

"Monster House," Discovery at 8: I was remiss in not informing you that the annual Shark Week festivities began Sunday night. But the only shark-related show tonight seems to be this tooth-and-fin home makeover, complete with an in-wall aquarium.

"Cabin Fever" (2002), Cinemax at 8:15: A little "Evil Dead" (1981), a little "Blair Witch" (1999), a little "28 Days Later" (2002), as a cabin full of glossy younguns faces a nasty virus.

"Messiah," BBC America at 6: Ken Stott stars as Red Metcalfe, a detective who once turned in his own brother for murder. He's very good, but now he faces a grisly string of serial killings with no apparent motive. Part 1. Part 2 airs next Monday.

Late Night Talk

"Late Show with David Letterman," CBS at 11:35: The U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team. C'mon, Dave, get in the pool.

"Tonight Show with Jay Leno," NBC at 11:35: Morris Day.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC at 12:05 a.m.

"Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn," CBS at 12:35: Ben Kingsley and musical guest Jet.

"Late Night with Conan O'Brien," NBC at 12:35: Rebecca Romijn- Stamos, Patton Oswalt and music from Shinedown.

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