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\'Gideon's Crossing\'

"Gideon's Crossing" is a testament to terrific acting and scripts that exemplify the human spirit. Led by the amazing Andre Braugher ("Homicide") as Dr. Ben Gideon, the show centers around a teaching hospital and the patients who grace its doors.

\'The Practice\'

The Emmy fave has returned for its fourth hard-hitting season. Although the show did not win as many Emmys as in previous years (it had to give "Sopranos" a break), it is still in award-winning shape. This season, David Kelley's (Ally McBeal) favorite subject, law, is ruling the show. There have hardly been any scenes in the new season that aren't in a courthouse or a jail cell.

\'Angel\'

As was the case last season, "Angel" continues to be the more creative and cohesive than sister show "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." While series creator Joss Whedon is constantly finding himself at loose ends with Buffy's plots and characters, he seems to revel in the slightly darker L.A. atmosphere of "Angel."

Farewell to the Machine

They were different. They were innovative, intelligent and active. But, most of all, they were different. Zach de la Rocha announced his split from Rage Against the Machine last Wednesday, to the extreme disappointment of fans. Zach said he was frustrated with the group's "decision-making process" which interfered with RATM's political and artistic desires.

\'That '70s Show\'

One of the most highly underrated shows on television, "That '70s Show" is back for its third season, and it is funnier than ever. Set in suburban Wisconsin, the show centers around the Forman household and son Eric's five friends growing up and dealing with drugs, parents, sex and life -- often with hilarious results.

\'The Fugitive\'

The biggest problem facing "The Fugitive," a remake of the 1960s series and a redux of the 1990s movie, is how to keep things fresh when the main character will pretty much be doing the same thing every week. Dr. Richard Kimble (Timothy Daly) has been wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and now spends his time running from the law and, of course, helping others.

"The West Wing"

Last season's explosive season finale left "West Wing" fans with one burning question, as NBC relentlessly pointed out in promos: Who's been shot? The answer to this question led to an revealing two-part season premiere as the terrorist shooting plot got cleaned up, and victim Josh (Bradley Whitford) had flashbacks of President Josiah Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) rise to office.

\'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer\'

"Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" is still one of the more imaginative and exciting television dramas. But this year's episodes have continued the slight slump in quality the show experienced last season. Although the producers have thankfully given up on the silly military vampire-fighting battalion, "The Initiative," traces of mediocrity still remain, mostly in the persona of Riley (Marc Blucas,) Buffy's boring, puppy dog-esque boyfriend).

\'Will and Grace\'

Entertainment Weekly, "Entertainment Tonight" and "Access Hollywood" have all recently been proclaiming this year the year of the gays ... in sitcoms, that is. Basically this is a reaction to the Emmy wins of Will, Grace and the show's supporting stars, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes. Whether or not networks are clamoring to line up the next gay superstar, "Will and Grace" certainly has broken the Ellen taboo in becoming the first successful show to feature gay lead characters.

\'Deadline\'

It's really hard for a journalist to objectively view a fictional TV show about journalism. Which is why it is extremely difficult to form an untainted opinion about "Deadline." Although the general viewing public might be able to ignore gross factual errors such as Oliver Platt's Wallace Benton being allowed to interrogate an accused murderer, it's really hard to swallow for anyone remotely connected to the media.

\'Trouble with Normal\'

By far the worst show one of the Big Three Networks has put out in many years, the trouble with "Normal" is that it's just plain stupid. The new sitcom follows the adventures of four highly paranoid neighbors and their new shrink, Claire Garletti (Paget Brewster).

\'Roswell\'

The best show you are not watching is "Roswell." The supernaturally thrilling and addictive drama about alien teens and their human counterparts has suffered from poor ratings but has an extremely loyal following. Last year when the network was considering axing the show, fans of Roswell launched a full-force campaign and successfully brought the show back for a second season.

Hip-hop album re-release much improved from original

The Bay Area collective, known as Anticon, has recently been blowing up in the "underground" world of hip-hop. The crew, comprised of artists from all over the United States and Canada, has been led by the thriving determination of its leading man, Tim Holland. Known as "Sole" to his fans, Tim has recently dropped his first LP for Anticon, entitled Bottle of Humans.

Solo album proves Iommi\'s still got it

Tony Iommi can make anyone sound good. With Black Sabbath finally broken up, again, the former lead guitarist has embarked on a new adventure: a Santana-esque solo project featuring well-known names in rock and heavy metal.

\'Friends\'

At the end of last season, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courtney Cox) proposed to each other surrounded by candlelight, flowers and each other's tears. For viewers who are worried the show will lose its sarcastic bite amidst the sappiness of wedded bliss, they should have no fear. There are plenty of pre-wedding disasters to keep the show awash in funny turmoil.

Pearl Jam live albums capture atmosphere of concerts

On what is a first for the music industry, mega-rockers Pearl Jam released 25 live albums on the same day, chronicling every show from its summer European tour, except for the tragic show at Roskilde, where nine people were killed in the crush of the crowd. While not expected to be major sellers, the band planned the release to combat massive bootlegging of poor quality recordings.

\'Dark Angel\'

"Dark Angel" is a post-apocalyptic actioneer created by genre maestro James Cameron. Jessica Alba (veteran of such crappy flicks as "Never Been Kissed" and "Idle Hands") stars as Max, a genetically engineered pickpocket who doles out many a beating to the various inhabitants of Seattle's criminal underbelly while avoiding the militaristic unit that birthed her.

The week in music

Latin ska band eclectic

\"Rude boy thing with a Latino style" makes a champion sound, according to Latin ska band King Changó. Its self-description pinpoints the strength of ska super-fusion on The Return of El Santo. The mostly Spanish language album uses elements from ska, banda, drum 'n' bass and electronica, along with other Caribbean and Spanish influences.

In a two-party machine, campus volunteers are quickly learning that it\'s not easy being Green (or Libertarian)

Life is full of choices, but where many Americans feel they lack choices is the political spectrum. Often it's a choice between the lesser of two evils, a choice between two candidates whose platform doesn't match up to a voter's preference.