TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Pushing Daisies" debut, 7 p.m., ABC. From the moment this show opens it has our attention. The visuals, from "Men in Black" director Barry Sonnenfeld, glow; the music bounces. The sly narration by Jim Dale (narrator of the "Harry Potter" audio books) suggests this is special. It is. The story — a guy can wake the dead but only for a minute — sounds silly. The execution, however, is magical. This is a fable in the "Forrest Gump" sense, one we eagerly suspend disbelief for. The guy will solve murders, but there's also room for humor and a classically chaste romance. Sonnenfeld promises to direct more episodes and has a great cast. The stars, Lee Pace and Anna Friel, are fairly new. They are, however, complemented by veterans Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth and Swoosie Kurtz.

"Top Chef" finale, 7 p.m., Bravo. Last week's episode (rerunning at 9 p.m.) bounced Brian. That leaves Casey, Dale and Hung; tonight, one will become the show's third champion.

OF NOTE

"Back to You," 7 p.m., Fox. Chuck (Kelsey Grammer) is nervous around Gracie who doesn't know he's her father. Tonight, he comes up with a way to spend time with her.

" 'Til Death," 7:30 p.m., Fox. The faculty basketball team gets a break when Eddie (the 6-foot-9 Brad Garrett) joins. Alas, Eddie is a terrible player, something he's never admitted to his wife. The result is a fairly funny episode.

"The Sarah Silverman Program" season-opener, 7:30 p.m., Comedy Central. Silverman has an elfin quality that lets her get away with outrageous things. She needs it here, for a stretched (but funny) episode in which she doesn't realize she's an abortion protester.

"Private Practice," 8 p.m., ABC. Sam (Taye Diggs) is depressed about being single again so Cooper (Paul Adelstein) hires a stripper. This doesn't please other staffers.

"The Bionic Woman," 8 p.m., NBC. Isaiah Washington begins his limited run. At first, Jaime thinks he's just an interested stranger. However, the company that molded her bionics hired him.

"Better Half" debut, 8:15 p.m., Bravo. Each week, two people will try to instantly master their spouses' specialty. Tonight, a gemologist and a bartender try to master their guys' skill as chefs. The result is moderately entertaining, helped by Susie Essman's work as host. In the Drew Carey style, she's a comedian who knows how to use comedy in moderation.

"Life," 9 p.m., NBC. A bride has been killed on her wedding night. Everyone is sure the groom is guilty, but Charlie (Damian Lewis) is slow to condemn; after all, he's fresh from a dozen years in prison for murders he didn't commit. This episode has a good crime tale, spiced by a continuing portrait of Charlie and his efforts to find the real killer.