"Two and a Half Men," 8 p.m., CBS. There's still a place in the TV world for traditional comedies. Those are the very funny kind, forever trying to please a studio audience. Right now, "Two and a Half Men" is the best of the bunch as this episode reminds us. This is a show in which only Alan (John Cryer) censors himself. His son Jake blurts things. So do Alan's brother Charlie (Charlie Sheen), their mom, their housekeeper and Rose, the strange neighbor who stalks Charlie. Now it's Rose's birthday with the brothers reluctantly taking part in the celebration. Soon, things get out of hand and her dad — played by Martin Sheen, Charlie's father — arrives. It's a kind of silly role, mostly wasting the senior Sheen. Along the way, however, "Two and a Half Men" has its usual sharp lines that are well-delivered. Traditional comedies can still draw big laughs.

OF NOTE

"Arrested Development," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's one of the best of the nontraditional comedies, with a complex story filmed without an audience. Tonight's hour included a father-son triathlon and an inner-beauty pageant. Charlize Theron — the movie star who is so good in the current "North Country" — continues her stint as Rita. She's a British beauty whom Michael (Jason Bateman) fell for, not realizing she's working with his enemy.

"How I Met Your Mother," 7:30 p.m., CBS. Camryn Manheim ("The Practice") guests as a matchmaker helping Ted's lagging love life.

"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Wouldn't it have been great, the guys say, to have had a casino in the 1960s when there were fewer rules? Maybe, but it wouldn't make interesting drama. This hour is a fantasy, plopping the characters into that era. When in doubt, they simply bribe or kill or break bones. Without limits, however, the story isn't terribly involving.

"Prison Break," 8 p.m., Fox. While things get rougher inside the prison Veronica has a breakthrough on the outside. She learns the real reason for the murder that Michael's brother was convicted of.

"Out of Practice," 8:30 p.m., CBS. On one front Lydia (Stockard Channing) is unhappy with the attention she gets at a cooking class. On another, her ex-husband (Henry Winkler) finds life is hectic after he gives an apartment key to his wonderfully daft girlfriend.

"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. A prisoner was supposed to be flown from Miami to New York, but he took over the plane. Naturally, that means it's crossover time. David Caruso and Gary Sinise combine in a story that will conclude Wednesday on "CSI: Miami."

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. Here's an extreme conflict of interest: Allison's husband is on a jury; the defendant is a guy who shows up in her nightmares.