TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Parenthood,”
10 p.m., NBC.
This second episode, like the first,
dangles moments of hope and humor. Then it sometimes snatches them
away – sort of like in real life and real parenthood.
Lauren Graham keeps finding extra
humor, as a smart bartender who has moved home with her teen kids.
Peter Krause is solid as an executive with a troubled son and an
ideal (he thinks) daughter.
Then there are the other siblings.
Tonight brings good moments for Dax Shepard (as a non-commital sort
who's just learned he's a dad) and Erika Christenson (as a slick
lawyer, frustrated by the parental perfection of a stay-at-home mom).
The peak links all four and a marijuana
stash. At that moment, “Parenthood” is a terrific series.
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “American
Idol,” 8-9 p.m., Fox.
Last week, the shows were flipped at
the last minute – the men on Tuesday, women on Wednesday –
because of an illness. The result was the same as before – strong
performances by the women, bland ones for the men.
Now the women are back to Tuesdays.
With Haeley Vaughn and Michelle Delamor gone, the field is down to
eight and the show is down to an hour.
TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “White Collar”
season finale, 10 p.m., USA.
At times, this show tries too hard: It
sets up impossible tasks, then uses luck to accomplish them.
That happens tonight, when Neal must
steal a securely guarded music box. If he gives it to a rogue FBI
agent, he may finally be back with his elusive lover Helen.
It all defies credibility, but there
are good moments along the way. They involve Alex (a beauty with
Neal's knack for theft), Peter (the good FBI agent) and Peter's wife,
a sane civilian amidst schemers.
Other choices include:
– “90210” (8 p.m.) and “Melrose
Place” (9 p.m.), CW. After a long break, both have new episodes. On
“90210,” Adrianna and Gia are closer after an Alcoholics
Anonymous meeting; on Melrose, Amanda (Heather Locklear) plans a
party for her billionaire boyfriend (Billy Campbell).
– “NCIS,” 8 p.m., CBS. After a
Marine has been shot, the team finds surprises in his life.
– “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 9 p.m.,
CBS. A sailor, killed while street racing, had confidential Navy
equipment in his car.
– “Lost,” 9 p.m., ABC. Last
week's hour (rerunning at 8 p.m.) showed Sayid on the island and in
the alternate existence. This does the same for Ben, whom we see as a
mild-mannered teahcer.
– “Glee,” 9 p.m., Fox. Here's a
rerun of a terrific episode. It sent the glee club to sectionals amid
emotional chaos over Quinn's pregnancy and the wedding day of Ken and
Emma – who is clearly in love with Will, the glee-club leader.
– “The Good Wife,” 10 p.m., CBS.
Last week, Peter returned home to work on his new defense. That
continues tonight, with the hard-edged Eli (Alan Cumming) on his
team. Meanwhile, Peter's good wife defends a lawyer accused of
murder.