TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. After dragging through four weeks of auditions, this show must trim in a hurry. Over three hours (two now, one Wednesday), it will go from 164 people to 24. Then viewers finally get their say.

"Jericho" return, 9 p.m., CBS. For a time, this well-made, post-holocaust series strayed into a military mode. Jericho, Kansas, was being attacked by neighboring New Bern. Now the show gets a second chance, with a seven-episode season. This opener only partly patches things up. A temporary government has emerged in Cheyenne. The military arrives, with Major Beck (Esai Morales) trying to separate the enemies. That will take a while. This first hour spends too much time with Jake and Eric Green (Skeet Ulrich and Kenneth Mitchell) being wildly illogical. Chances are, sense and Beck will prevail. "Jericho" may overcome its shoot-em-up urge.

OF NOTE

"The Biggest Loser," 7 p.m., NBC. Jillian may have been battering the psyche of her people, but now her mom (a psychotherapist) shows up to work with them.

"Nova: AstroSpies," 8 p.m., PBS. For a time, the U.S. and Soviet Union were obsessed with having manned satellites do their spying. Americans even had proposals for knocking an enemy satellite out of orbit; Russians countered by mounting a cannon. And then it all ended; unmanned flights prevailed. This interesting hour talks to astronauts who prepared for a job that never existed.

"One Tree Hill," 8 p.m., CW/KHON digital 93. Mia (played by real-life singer Kate Voegele) nears her first live, solo performance.

"Big Brother" season opener, 8 p.m., CBS. This is what the strike has reduced us to: A summer trifle is suddenly starting its season in February.

"According to Jim," 8 p.m., ABC. Trying to learn why his daughters are fighting, Jim peeks at their diaries.

"Carpoolers," 8:30 p.m., ABC. Laird has a scheme for getting a handicapped parking space. Don't expect it to work.

"In Treatment," 7:30 p.m., HBO. Yesterday, we saw Alex (Blair Underwood) accidentally arrive on the wrong day, instantly befriending Laura. Now Paul is upset to hear that his patients have met.

"Boston Legal," 9 p.m., ABC. It's a "Murphy Brown" reunion, with Scott Bakula and Candice Bergen. They're on opposite sides of a court case involving nuclear power.

"Millionaire Matchmaker," 8 and 9 p.m., Bravo. Patti works with a 46-year-old guy who claims he's not interested in young actresses; she's justifiably doubtful. She also meets two guys who insist on double dates.

"10 Items or Less," 9 p.m., TBS. In a funny episode, Leslie is into "bro-mance" (friendship between guys) and has a fresh-meat scheme. Also, there are auditions for an ice-skating version of "Lord of the Rings."