'Glory Days' taps into mystery

Airs: 8 tonight, WB (Channel 62). Stars: Eddie Cahill, Poppy Montgomery, Frances Fisher, Theresa Russell, Jay R. Ferguson, Amy Stewart, Emily VanCamp, Ben Crowley. Concept: "Murder, 'Scream' Wrote." Aaron says: Tape it. Once again the WB network pours new wine into old wineskins for underage drinkers with this whodunit from "Scream" and "Dawson's Creek" creator Kevin Williamson. Strange things are happening in the once-sleepy Pacific Northwest island town of Glory. So hometown boy Mike Dolan (Cahill) has come back to check it out. He's an aspiring mystery novelist who immediately displays a penchant for trying to do the crime-solving job of the local sheriff (Ferguson) and solve crimes. And if this all sounds a tad familiar, well, Jessica Fletcher was one of the most popular characters in the history of TV. Actually, I give points to "Glory Days" just for trying to pump new life into the murder-mystery genre by adding a dash of teen-horror spice and the maximum number of quirky small-town characters allowed by law (including a kooky coroner who likes to store her corpses in the back yard). "Combat Missions" Airs: 9 tonight, USA. Stars: "Survivor" coot Rudy Boesch and 24 military and law enforcement vets. Concept: "Boot Camp, Professional Edition." Aaron says: Men, try it. Could "Survivor" impresario Mark Burnett have timed this one better? This red, white and blue adventure game features two dozen seasoned tough guys who have served their country well in the past. Now they're encamped in a small compound led by "Survivor" 70-something Boesch. It's his military staff, though, that barks out most of the orders and runs the contests, a macho mix of war games (with real tanks, choppers and guns) and endurance contests best described as "Survivor" on steroids (e.g., teams carry a 500-pound log around until someone drops). Viewers who find "Survivor" contestants too whiny won't have that problem here, though the volatile mix of testosterone and losing does provoke some men to extreme irritation. Games that are measured by "kills" aren't my idea of entertainment, even when the ammo isn't live. Still, this show does capture the excitement of simulated combat (no easy task) and Burnett proves once again that no one is better at crafting games of skill, diplomacy and luck. To reach Aaron Barnhart, phone (816) 234-4790 or visit the TV Barn Web site at www.tvbarn.com @ART CAPTION:Poppy Montgomery as Ellie Sparks, Eddie Cahill as Mike Dolan and Jay R. Ferguson as Rudy Dunlop in 'Glory Days' @ART CAPTION:Boesch @ART:Photos (2, color and b/w)