TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Axis of Evil Comedy Special," 9 p.m., Comedy Central. Maz Jobrani was born in Iran. Ahmed Ahmed was born in Egypt. These are places we don't usually associate with stand-up comedy. Then there's Aron Kader — whose roots are Palestinian and Mormon— and Dean Obeidallah is Palestinian and Italian. "In my neighborhood there were two ethnic groups — Italian and my father," he says. These are clever comics with the best moments coming from Obeidallah. Jobrani is more an actor ("Knights of Prosperity") than a stand-up, but he helps wrap up a night to laugh at everything from ourselves to airport security.

"Life Support," 6 p.m., HBO. Andrea Williams is a wife, mom and AIDS activist who was diagnosed with HIV in 1993. She's also the sister of gifted writer Nelson George; he co-wrote and directed this film, depicting her. George chose a slice-of-life approach, which doesn't seem to have a beginning or middle. Still, he directed it beautifully, getting a richly naturalistic performance from Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah.

OF NOTE

"The Italian Job" (2003), 7 p.m., NBC. This is a slick heist film one that starts by racing through the waterways of Venice, Italy, and ends on the crowded streets and stairwells of Los Angeles. Beyond all that action, however, there are some great performances in support, especially from Charlize Theron and Edward Norton.

"The Sixth Sense" (1999), 7 p.m., ABC. This terrific thriller is shown constantly on TV or cable, so you've probably seen it. If not, catch it tonight; it's creepy, but made with great intelligence. Also, tonight is brother vs. brother. Donnie Wahlberg is the villain at the beginning of "Sixth Sense"; his brother Mark stars in "Italian Job."

"CSI: NY," 7 p.m., CBS. One victim is an assistant district attorney, involved in a game. Another is a woman who kept suing restaurants across the country.

"Shark," 8 p.m., CBS. The police still haven't found a body or much other evidence, but Stark is convinced that he can convict a surgeon of killing his wife. Back at home, Stark's daughter is in the uncomfortable position of lying for him so he can date two women.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Drew Barrymore hosts this rerun. The musical guest is Lily Allen.