Our first president celebrates his 281st birthday on Friday. Let’s celebrate

Our first president celebrates his 281st birthday on Friday. Let’s celebrate Washington’s B-day by looking at five of TV’s most famous Georges:

v George Costanza (Jason Alexander, “Seinfeld”): Balding, neurotic former employee of the New York Yankees.

v George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, “The Jeffersons”): Cocky, opinionated dry-cleaning magnate who moved from being Archie Bunker’s next-door neighbor to a deluxe apartment in the sky.

v George Jetson (Voiced by George O’Hanlon, “The Jetsons”): 21st-century dad, dutifully employed by Spacely Space Sprockets.

v George Stevens (Tim Moore, “Amos ’n’ Andy”): The real name (used mostly by his wife) of the scheming, malaprop-spouting Kingfish.

v Gorgeous George (TV wrestling, early 1950s): Platinum blond, flamboyant ’rassler who became one of early TV’s biggest stars.

“American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox): Say goodbye to Hollywood. “American Idol” moves on to Las Vegas, where not everyone will hit the jackpot. Tonight, 10 singers from the Top 40 contestants perform, and five of them will get the ax.

“The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC): The anxiety just never ends on “The Middle.” Poor Frankie (Patricia Heaton) wants to throw all her energy into her preparations for watching the Oscars, but she’s worried as heck that Brick (Atticus Shaffer) will get lost during his school trip to Chicago.

“Top Chef” (10 p.m., Bravo): Part one of the season finale airs.

“The Americans” (10 p.m. FX): The American agents wonder if the Russians are behind the attempted Reagan assassination.

“Necessary Roughness” (10 p.m., USA): Season 2 concludes tonight.

“My Strange Addiction” (10:30 P.M., TLC): A subject’s been eating sand for five years.

tv listings, b6

entertainment news

Quaker Band seeks new members

Salem

The Salem City Quaker Band is seeking new members with musical and instrumental abilities.

Practice begins at 7 p.m. March 4 in the Salem High School band room, 1200 E. 6th St. For more information, email SherryAyers@att.net.

Jimmy Buffett tickets to go on sale

PITTSBURGH

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will perform at First Niagara Pavilion at 8 p.m. July 18.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 800-745-3000. Eight-ticket limit per customer.

Brad Paisley show at amphitheater

PITTSBURGH

Brad Paisley, with special guests Chris Young and Lee Brice, will come to First Niagara Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. June 1.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at livenation. com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 800-745-3000. Prices range from $33.75 to $89.

Tickets for eight country shows at First Niagara Pavilion — including Paisley — are also available at megaticket.com.