Gannett News Service

Must-see

Democratic National Convention, 10 p.m., Channels 9, 2, 5, 22, 12, 7. Also, gavel-to-gavel, 8-11 p.m. on Channels 48, 16 and C-SPAN; throughout the day on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News Channel.

John Kerry gives his acceptance speech tonight. What he says - and how he says it - could have a profound impact, TV journalists say.

George W. Bush's acceptance speech on Sept. 2 will be important, but Kerry's talk bears the extra task of introducing him to much of the public, says CNN's Judy Woodruff.

"It's absolutely critical for him," she says. "The polls all show that a large number of Americans are prepared not to re-elect George W. Bush. But they're not yet persuaded that John Kerry is the one they do want to take his place."

Worth watching

Blue Collar TV debut, 8 p.m., Channels 64, 26.

Wonderfully witty one moment, silly and goofy the next, Blue Collar TV is erratic, but fun.

At the core are three gifted stand-up comics - Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy - who keep their strong intelligence hidden below a good-old-guys veneer. Unfortunately, the format only includes a brief stand-up bit by Foxworthy at the beginning.

Instead, we have lots of skits, based on the foibles of ordinary life. Some are clever; some simply take a single gag and stretch it endlessly. Settle back, enjoy the good parts.

The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), 8-10 p.m., Channels 19, 45. Eddie Murphy plays five members of a family, including Prof. Sherman Klump. He's ready to marry his beloved fiancee (Janet Jackson), but first he must rein in his alter ego Buddy Love.

Will & Grace, 8 p.m., Channels 5, 22. Jack competes in a spelling bee.

Scrubs, 8:30 p.m., Channels 5, 22. Turk is excited by his success in the operating room.

Reba, 8:30 p.m., Channels 64, 26. Cheyenne is turning 21 and wants her mom and stepmom at the party.

Studio 7, 9 p.m., Channels 64, 26. Last week, this game show (with a few reality touches) got off to a mildly interesting start. Now we see seven more young people competing in their knowledge of recent events. One will be thrust to the seven-person finals, competing for $777,000.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 9 p.m., Channels 12, 7. A roller-coaster accident killed six people. But was it really an accident?

Last Comic Standing, 9 p.m., Channels 5, 22. There is a second hour this week, revealing results in the American Idol style. On Tuesday, the five previously ousted comedians got one more chance to perform. Tonight, we learn which one is back in the competition.

The Daily Show, 11 p.m., Comedy Central. This show will be taped prior to Kerry's speech, but it will still have plenty of chances for a fun look at a busy week. For that matter, The Daily Show is worth catching (Mondays through Thursdays) any time.