TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Great Performances: We Love Ella! A Tribute to the First Lady of Song," 8 p.m., PBS. Some awesome talents combine to perform the music of the late Ella Fitzgerald. It's no great surprise that there are stunning moments from Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole and an all-star band led by Quincy Jones. There's more, though. There are great crossover moments from Ruben Studdard and Wynonna. Others (Ledisi, Lizz Wright, Dave Koz, Monica Mancini) shine. And through clips and recordings, we catch Ella herself; it's a night to savor.

"American Inventor" "Traveler" 9 p.m., both ABC. Here's ABC's best crack at getting a summer audience. "Inventor" did well last season. Tonight, would-be inventors audition in Los Angeles and San Francisco. That's followed by the third "Traveler" hour. Two guys were framed for a deadly explosion; now they sneak back to their college town, to learn about the "friend" who betrayed them.

OF NOTE:

"So You Think You Can Dance," 7 and 8 p.m., Fox. First is a rerun of the Atlanta auditions. Then comes a new episode, viewing the survivors in Las Vegas.

"Tyler Perry's House of Payne" debut, 6 and 6:30 p.m., TBS. Tyler Perry is an amazing writer and actor who triumphed with "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." Now he tries a show in the long-ago style of "Sanford and Son." Set in the home of a cranky firefighter, it's insult-driven comedy. Some people will consider it a retro delight; others will view it as just old-fashioned, only partially salvaged by Perry's terrific guest role (in drag) in the opener.

"CSI: NY," 9 p.m., CBS. Nelly Furtado plays a shoplifter, accused of murder.

"Destination Truth" debut, 7 p.m., Sci Fi. The crew pursues rumors of a dinosaur and mermaid. As is the style in such pointless shows, we mostly see people saying, "Ooh, I might have just seen something."