"Rescue Me" returns tonight! Why I won't be watching ...

Now, that's a tease. The reality is I was thrilled the minute FX slid the first nine episodes under my door at TV critics' tour in January. I was even more juiced after uncovering a bizarre -- but admittedly compelling -- subplot involving Franco, 9/11 conspiracy theories and the dude who plays Franco.

Here's my review of season five of "Rescue Me." Make sure you or a trusted recording device is watching.

The reason I won't join you, besides the obvious fact that I've already seen tonight's episode (twice), is that I will be at the Kansas City Public Library to see the immensely talented Charles Everett Pace holding forth as Langston Hughes in the taping of a new episode of "Meet the Past," which I wrote about in today's Kansas City Star. Seats are free, but please RSVP so they know how many chairs to set up.

Here are more details about tonight's program. Below, a video I shot of Charles in 2004.