TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (8 p.m.) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (9 p.m.) season-openers, NBC. NBC struggles to keep its profitable "Law & Order" shows fresh. "Criminal Intent" has a new night and a new character. Eric Bogosian — the intense actor-playwright — plays Capt. Danny Ross. Tonight's case may involve a serial killer. Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) meets his old mentor (John Glover) and the mentor's daughter (Martha Plimpton). "Special Victims Unit" splits up detectives Benson and Stabler. Tonight, Benson (Mariska Hargitay) goes undercover after a rape victim refuses to cooperate with police.

"Smith" debut, 9 p.m., CBS. Ray Liotta plays an ordinary-seeming guy whose wife (Virginia Madsen) doesn't know he's a big-time thief.

OF LOCAL NOTE

"Dog: The Family Speaks," 7 p.m., A&E. Honolulu-based Duane "Dog" Chapman, star of "Dog the Bounty Hunter," was arrested on Thursday, and A&E already put together this one-hour special. Dog, his wife, Beth, and other family members give a first-hand account of the brouhaha.

OF NOTE

"NCIS" season-opener, 7 p.m., CBS. Tony's in charge during a tough time: Ziva is suspected in an assassination and is on the run.

"Nip/Tuck," 7 p.m., FX. As the birth of the baby nears, Sean and Julia search for the right night nurse. The search, however, reveals much about Sean's hidden desires.

"Boston Legal" season-opener, 9 p.m., ABC. Michael J. Fox returns as a dying business mogul.