Mike Hughes on TV

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “White Collar”
return, 10 p.m., USA.

Here are financial people at their
cruelest, living high while bilking people of their life savings.

Viewers will root instantly for Neal
(the former con man) to help the FBI catch them. They'll also forgive
the fact that some of this happens way too easily.

There are plot twists along the way,
including a good one involving Neal's aversion to guns. It adds up to
entertaining TV, but “White Collar” has done better.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “American
Idol” (8 p.m.) and “Human Target” (9), Fox.

The second week of “Idol” auditions
starts in Chicago, with Shania Twain as guest judge.

Afterward, “Our Little Genius” was
supposed to settle into its regular time slot. That show was pulled,
however; now “Target” repeats Sunday's opener, before nudging
into its Wednesday slot.

The episode has one great scene, as a
computer whiz (Jackie Earle Haley) calmly confronts two thugs.
Mostly, it has OK scenes, with a handsome and all-knowing bodyguard
(Mark Valley) on a bullet train.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “Speak”
(2004), Lifetime.

One of the best TV movies in recent
years went mostly unnoticed. Adapting Laurie Halse Anderson's witty
book, writer-director Jessica Scharzer created a moving portrait of a
teen who simply quits talking in school, after a date rape.

Now it's getting fresh attention, for a
basic reason: Its star (Kristen Stewart) is at the core of the
“Twilight” movies. Only 14 when this film debuted, she gave a
subtly perfect performance.

Other choices include:

– “NCIS” and “NCIS: Los
Angeles,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Even these powerhouses settle for
reruns during “Idol” auditions. In the first, a blogger has been
killed – please don't try this at home – after alleging a
cover-up. In the second, the victim is a Marine who has been living
as a rich bachelor.

– “Nova,” 8 p.m., PBS (check
local listings). Sprawling across the Egyptian desert, 240 feet long
and 66 feet high, the Great Sphinx has left many questions. This
fairly interesting hour views two pharaohs – one who had it built,
another who renovated it. It dismisses some old stories – no,
Napoleon's soldiers didn't shoot off its nose – and studies the
construction method.

– “Scrubs,” 8 and 9 p.m., ABC.
First is a rerun in which the overwhelmed Lucy gets advice from
Elliot. Then a new episode finds her still frazzled, as a test nears;
also, the Drew-Denise affair hits a bump.

– “Better Off Ted,” 8:30 and 9:30
p.m., ABC. First is the rerun of a funny episode in which Ted's
daughter gathers insider information at the day care center. Then a
new episode finds Ted instantly struck by a beautiful visitor from
Germany; they communicate via the company's new translator device.

– “The Good Wife,” 10 p.m., CBS.
Alicia reluctantly agrees to a conjugal visit with her imprisoned
husband. She needs to get information about a case she's working on.

– “The Millionaire Matchmaker,”
10 p.m., Bravo. Fresh from college, Omar Soliman and Nick Friedman
launched the thriving business College Hunks Hauling Junk. Recently,
they showed up on ABC's “Shark Tank”; now matchmaker Patti
Stanger tries to find the right women for them. It isn't easy; the
guys are likable, but struggle socially.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Life Unexpected”
debut, 9 p.m., CW.

Baze and Cate (Kristoffer Polaha and
Shiri Appleby) haven't met since high school. He has a bar, she has a
radio show, neither has a settled life.

Then their daughter shows up. Lux,
almost 16, is smart, scared, angry and immensely likable. Lives will
change; people will reluctantly grow up.

“Life Unexpected” is a terrific
surprise. Britt Robertson is superb as Lux; Appleby and Polaha are
just right. We soon care for all three; like life itself, “Life
Unexpected” has warmth, grit and humor.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “24,” 8-10
p.m., Fox.

Jack Bauer tried to retire, but failed.
An attempt to kill a key foreign leader persists; the Counter
Terrorist Unit chief (Mykelti Williamson) is absurdly dim. Jack is
needed.

He has few allies. There's Chloe and an
earnest cop (Freddie Prinze Jr.) whose fiancee (Katee Sackhoff) is a
CTU worker with a fake identity, a nasty past and a blackmailing
ex-boyfriend.

Also, Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) is
back and working undercover. She kicks energy into a story that is
below “24” standards, but better than most TV.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “American
Character Along Highway 50,” 8 p.m., USA.

Some road trips are way too brief.
Here, Tom Brokaw stuffs an America portrait into one hour. He
glimpses towns along Highway 50, at various times in 2009.

That was in the depth of the recession,
so there's much bad news here. Maryland fishermen struggle,
small-town Ohio deals with a factory closing, small-town Nevada deals
with the collapse of the housing market. Homes near foreclosure;
families are overwhelmed by medical bills.

Brokaw also finds good news –
innovative schools in Washington, D.C. … a community medical
program in Colorado … decent people persisting. These are
interesting stories, compressed together.

Other choices include:

– “The Bachelor,” 8-10 p.m., ABC.
One woman has a Sea World date with Jake; another has an adventure
date, complete with motorcycle, helicopter and bungee jumping. Others
face something scarier: Each must do a stand-up bit in a packed
comedy club.

– “Chuck,” 8 p.m., NBC. Last
week, Devon learned that Chuck (his wife's brother) is a reluctant
spy. Now he's been kidnapped by a villain (Angie Harmon) who's tough
enough to beat Sarah. There are silly moments, but it's fun to see
the heroic-looking Devon overwhelmed by Chuck's world. We also meet a
new spy, played with unswerving intensity by Brandon Routh, whose
movie (the 2006 “Superman Returns”) airs at 8 p.m. today on AMC.

– “How I Met Your Mother,” 8
p.m., CBS. Marshall insists that a beautiful co-worker (Amanda Peet)
kissed him. His wife Lily won't believe him.

– “Two and a Half Men,” 9 p.m.,
CBS. Charlie will do anything to avoid Chelsea's parents (Stacy Keach
and Meagen Fay). That may not be possible.

– “The Big Bang Theory,” 9:30
p.m., CBS. After a break-in at their apartment, Sheldon and Leonard
work on a state-of-the-art security system.

– “The Buried Life” debut, 10
p.m., MTV. Four breezy young Canadians have drawn up a list of things
they've always wanted to do. Some are whimsical – tonight, they try
to crash a party at the Playboy mansion – some not. Along the way,
this likable series also has them help strangers.

– “Castle,” 10:01 p.m., ABC. A
new case seems to tie into international drug-smuggling and an
infomercial star. More importantly, it may tie into the long-ago
murder of Kate's mother.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “24”
season-opener, 9 and 10 p.m., Fox.

For a micro-moment, Jack Bauer relaxes
with his granddaughter Then an informant arrives; Jack must try to
stop the assassination of a foreign leader who's crucial to world
peace.

There are many things wrong with the
season's first four hours (continuing Monday). The story is
stop-and-go, not terribly taut. It has an absurd portrayal of an
anti-terrorist leader; as played by Mykelti Williamson, he's a dense
lunkhead. And, as usual, it quickly gets to torture.

Still, this is “24.” It has big
stakes, sharp editing, great supporting actors (Katee Sackhoff, Annie
Wersching, Freddie Prinze Jr.) and strong stars.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “Golden
Globes,” 8-11 p.m. ET, with red-carpet preview at 7, NBC.

The good news is that Ricky Gervais,
creator and star of the original “The Office,” is the host. That
brings some wit to a show that's mostly known for pretty people in
great clothes.

Unlike the Academy Awards, this splits
into two categories. Sandra Bullock has an acting nomination in each
– comedy (“The Proposal”) and drama (“The Blind Side”);
Meryl Streep has two in comedy, for “Julie & Julia” and “It's
Complicated.”

There's TV, too. Two new comedies
(“Glee” and “Modern Family”) join “30 Rock,” “The
Office” and “Entourage.” Dramas are “House,” “Mad Men,”
“True Blood,” “Dexter” and “Big Love.”

Other choices include:

– Football, 1 p.m. ET, Fox, and 4:40
p.m. ET, CBS. The first game has the Dallas Cowboys at the Minnesota
Vikings; the second has the New York Jets at the San Diego Chargers.
The winners will be one step from reaching the Super Bowl.

– “Human Target” debut, 8 p.m.,
Fox. Mark Valley plays a bodyguard who seems to know – well,
everything. The opener has lots of slam-bang action on a bullet
train, with so-so results. There's one great scene, however, in which
a computer geek (Jackie Earle Haley) faces down two thugs; at that
point, “Human Target” offers a hint of human appeal.

– “Nature,” 8 p.m., PBS (check
local listings). When wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone Park,
a fierce conflict was set up. Beautifully filmed, this hour views the
collision of grizzly bears and wolves.

– “Masterpiece Theatre,” 9-10:30
p.m., PBS (check local listings). Here's the second half of the
terrific “Return to Cranford.” With a railroad and new money
coming, the people in this tiny village deal with love, change and
embezzlement.

– “Desperate Housewives,” 9 p.m.,
ABC. Katherine is back, seeing a psychiatrist. Meanwhile, Tom and
Lynette may see a therapist; they've been feuding since he took her
job after she had pregnancy complications. Also, Susan and Gabrielle
want their kids to be in the school's smartest group.

– “Big Love,” 9 p.m., HBO. Now
that everyone knows Roman Grant is dead, Bill could become the next
prophet, running the compound. Instead, he considers a run for the
U.S. Senate.

TODAY'S MUST-SEE: Football, 4:30 p.m.
ET, Fox; and 8:15 p.m. ET, CBS.

Two teams that were powerful during the
regular season join the play-offs. Each is at home, after sitting out
the first round.

First are the New Orleans Saints
(13-3), led by quarterback Drew Brees. They hosts the Arizona
Cardinals (11-6), trying to get back to the Super Bowl they almost
won last year; last week, Kurt Warner led a wide-open, 51-45 win over
the Green Bay Packers.

Then are Peyton Manning and the
Indianapolis Colts, which flirted with a perfect record before
finishing 14-2. They host the Baltimore Ravens and running back Ray
Rice, 10-7 after last week's 33-14 win over the New England Patriots.

TODAY'S MIGHT-SEE: “Saturday Night
Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC.

Back in 1986, Sigourney Weaver hosted
“Saturday Night Live.” At the time, she was fresh from
writer-director James Cameron's brilliant “Aliens.”

Now – almost a quarter-century later
– she's in his “Avatar.” She hosts, with music by Ting Tings.

Other choices include:

– “The Incredibles” (2004), 7-9
p.m., Disney. Here's a fresh chance to see this animated delight. A
family of superheroes slips into the witness protection program –
then comes back for an epic mission. The result manages both wit and
adventure.

– “Grey's Anatomy” (8 p.m.) and
“Private Practice” (9 p.m.), ABC. Here's a quick rerun of
Thursday's crossover. First, Addison flies to California, to help her
ex-lover Mark and his pregnant daughter; then he flies to Seattle,
where the treatment continues.

– “Mercy,” 8 p.m., NBC. Now
separated from her husband, Veronica feels he's dating again. Also in
this rerun, Sonia and Chloe become immersed in the personal crises of
their patients.

– “The Notebook” (2004, Oxygen)
or “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982, WE), each 8 p.m. Here are
romance classics from two generations. “Officer” centers on a
Navy pilot (Richard Gere), viewing his tough training and his
relationship to a local woman (Debra Winger). “Notebook” is a
sweepingly emotional tale, with an old man and woman (James Garner,
Gena Rowlands) reading the love story of a young couple (Ryan
Gosling, Rachel McAdams).

– “Law & Order,” 9 p.m., NBC.
In a rerun, three homeless men have been killed. At first, the only
clue is that one of them wore distinctive roller skates that weren't
his.

– “Law & Order: Special Victims
Unit,” 10 p.m., NBC. Three young girls – each in an immigrant
family – have been killed, in this rerun. The investigation leads
to followers of a fiercely anti-immigration radio host.

– “Castle,” 10 p.m., ABC. In this
rerun, the investigation of a murder faces two problems: A bullet is
missing; a witness can't remember what he saw … or who he is.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE: “Shark Tank,”
9 p.m., ABC.

In an earlier episode, the sharks met
the eccentric man who calls himself Cactus Jack. A veteran
entrepreneur, he created an exerciser; Barbara Corcoran and Kevin
Harrington told him they'd buy in, IF he shed 35 pounds and became
the spokesman.

Tonight, we learn if he made it. We
also hear bicyclists pitch their hand de-greaser; other pitches are
from a policeman, a college student and a woman who creates shopping
experiences for kids.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE II: “Sanctuary”
season finale, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Syfy.

The entire season rolls past us. There
are 11 hours of reruns, followed at 9 p.m. by the season finale.

Expect lots of large stories and exotic
settings, as the eternal Helen (Amanda Tapping) probes ancient
mysteries. The finale is exceptionally large.

In India, an artifact leads to a bug
that can put one person in touch with grand powers. Now it's being
sought by good-guy Will and by a villain who seeks earth-shaking
power.

The visions – one of them like a
Bollywood musical – are interesting. It's an epic tale – but
still not enough for this two-hour slot; at one hour, it would have
been a good one.

Other choices include:

– “A League of Their Own” (1992,
7 p.m.) and “Backdraft,” 1991, 9 p.m.), Bravo. Who knew that the
stars of lightweight ABC comedies would become gifted movie
directors? First is a masterful tale of a women's baseball league;
it's directed by Penny Marshall. Then is a fairly good film about
firemen; it's from Ron Howard, who has made classics.

– “Law & Order,” 8 p.m., NBC.
A murder victim had been having an affair with a daytime talk-show
host. The probe leads to more affairs and a blackmail threat.

– “Ghost Whisperer,” 8 p.m., CBS.
A new family in town – in the tradition of most new families on TV
– has a dark secret; it may endanger a couple that is falling in
love.

– “Medium,” 9 p.m., CBS. Olivia
Sandoval, the real-life daughter of Miguel Sandoval, is back for
another guest role. He plays Devalos, the district attorney; she
plays his late daughter. On the anniversary of her death, she
occupies Melinda's visions.

– “Dollhouse,” 9 p.m., Fox. We're
a week from the finale in this interesting series. Tonight, Echo and
her friends travel to Arizona, hoping to dismantle the corporation's
computer mainframe.

– “The Wrestler” (2008), 9 p.m.,
HBO. This film drew praise and two Academy Award nominations – for
Mickey Rourke in the title role and Marisa Tomei in support.

– “Numb3rs,” 10 p.m., CBS. A
weapons shipment has disappeared. Then one of the weapons is used in
a series of murders.

– “The Jay Leno Show,” 10 p.m.,
NBC. Ricky Gervais, the clever Englishman who will host the Golden
Globes on Sunday, answers the “10 at 10” questions. Julianne
Moore is the in-studio guest.