FriendsGiven that there are only...

Friends Given that there are only eight more episodes left and the finale doesn't air until May, I knew I shouldn't have gotten so excited about last week's new episode. And sure enough, I was brought back down to earth by tonight's embellished clip show, in which the gang recalls some of their favorite urban moments after Monica and Chandler reveal their plans to move their impending family to the suburbs. Don't get me wrong; I loved every blessed second (especially clips from the debut episode, where Ross — for the first and only time — had the best haircut of the bunch). But I couldn't help but wonder whether I was simply suffering from sitcom withdrawal and that maybe we should have wrapped things up two years ago and saved ourselves from the frustration of this abbreviated yet seemingly endless 10th season.

The Apprentice By capitalizing on sex appeal a second time, the ladies trumped the men again and team leader Jason got fired. And even though that annoying little twerp Sam fell asleep in the middle of his assignment, I was glad to see Jason go. Why? One: He didn't want to meet with the bosses of the company VersaCorp was working for. Two (and much more important): He picked team player Nick to be his other fall guy. His reason: It had to be someone. Luckily, Trump thought so, too, and appropriately thinned the herd. I don't want to jinx anything, but if any of the guys is going to win this, it will be country boy Troy. His hilarious "be the hat" mantra could be the inspirational catchphrase of the year. (Although Heidi might want to rethink the Village People biker cap she wore to Protege's group presentation.)

Tru Calling Why do the promos for this series have a pouting Eliza Dushku striking poses in artificial rain — especially since the show's target audience is teen girls?

Will & Grace Geena Davis is a hoot as Grace's daffy older sister Janet, who gets an extreme makeoever from Will that makes her look like a flight attendant from the Amazon. It's a refreshing and welcome return for the former Buffalo Bill costar, who was last seen on the small screen starring in the ill-conceived Geena Davis Show. It's a particularly frisky episode that also features playful digs at the short-lived Boy George musical Taboo, Debra Messing's baby weight and the right-hand-ring trend; as well as winning guest spots from Minnie Driver and John Cleese, as Stan's ex-mistress and her father.

CSI A promiscuous young nurse with a butterfly fetish is murdered by a jealous ex-lover who also painstakingly dismembers her current paramour. Considering the copious clear plastic bags of bloody body parts and the female victim's striking resemblance to CSI Sara, this episode is up there on the creep-o-meter. But at least I can save $8 and skip Ashton Kutcher's Butterfly Effect.

Primetime Thursday My Friends jones is somewhat abated by Diane Sawyer's interview with Jennifer Aniston. Neither revealing nor enlightening, their 45-minute chat was nonetheless compelling, especially given that Aniston is so easily moved to tears. She wells up at clips from the show and of her husband Brad Pitt; at photos from her youth; and while describing her five costars. It's a comfort to know that the talented actress we have watched blossom professionally and personally before our eyes has grown as attached to her character and the show as we have. And though her estrangement from her mother is a completely personal matter, I hope the two of them eventually reconnect. I can't go more than three days without calling my mom, even if it's just to update her on my cat's latest evil antics. However, the program left one burning question unanswered. After seeing Sawyer in those knee-high boots, one has to wonder: Who's her wardrobe consultant, TV journalism's reigning fishnet-and-stiletto queen Katie Couric?

Without a Trace He's no Russell Crowe, but guest star Jerry O'Connell delivers a solid turn as a paranoid schizophrenic. Despite this episode's far-fetched plot, his performance is almost decent enough for me to consider forgiving him for Kangaroo Jack. Too bad I can't say the same for Buying the Cow, Tomcats and Body Shots.

ER Great googly moogly! Kerry Weaver's lesbian lover, Sandy Lopez, gives birth to their son! Finally, NBC was right; this is an ER I won't forget. Let's hope that this plot development will continue to humanize Kerry and keep her from meeting a cartoonish demise like the reviled Rocket Romano. I'm also thrilled that Abby has finally been rescued from her post-Carter slump by the writers' decision to send her back to med school. Maura Tierney's sensitive and sympathetic portrayal of Abby's helplessness in the NICU brought tears to my eyes. Luckily, Jennifer Aniston taught me how to blot them without smearing my mascara.