TONIGHT'S MUST-SEES

"Nashville Star," 8:01 p.m., NBC. This former cable show is off to a so-so start in its first network summer. Few contestants — chosen by the network, not the judges — have stood out. They've had a tough time, partly because of the odd time limits imposed. Now, however, "Star" may start to click. There are only three episodes and only five contestants — good ones, mostly — left. And now comes what has usually been the show's best week: Singers do original songs — either ones they wrote themselves or unpublished ones from someone else.

"Freedom Writers" (2007), 4:55 p.m., Showtime, or "Million Dollar Baby" (2004), 5 p.m., AMC. Hilary Swank is a remarkably gifted actress and here are two examples. They have nothing in common except for Swank's intensity. In "Baby," she's a novice boxer. This is a tough, depressing ride, but brilliantly made. It won the Oscar for best picture, plus ones for Swank, co-star Morgan Freeman and director Clint Eastwood. In "Writers," she plays a real-life teacher who gave disadvantaged students a passion for writing. The story may seem too convenient, but it's smartly written and directed by Richard LaGravenese and, of course, perfectly acted by Swank.

OF NOTE

"The Closer," 5 and 6 p.m., TNT. First is last week's season opener, a pretty good one. Against the backdrop of a California wildfire, Brenda confronts an old nemesis, played by Jason O'Mara. Then comes a new episode in which a paroled killer has been run down by a hit-and-run driver.

"Heidi Fleiss: The Would-Be Madam of Crystal," 6 p.m., HBO. There was a time when Heidi Fleiss provided prostitutes to Hollywood's stars. A pediatrician's daughter, she seemed young, bright, sophisticated. It's hard to equate that with the scattered Fleiss we see here. Following a suggestion from Rosanne Barr, she works on creating a legal brothel in Nevada. From there, the story gets tangled and interesting, complete with opposition, an FBI sting, lots of rocks and a flock of exotic birds.

"High School Musical: Get in The Picture," 7 p.m., ABC. This hour wraps up the East Coast videos, as young singers compete for a video at the end of "High School Musical III." Next Sunday and Monday bring the West Coast tryouts.

"Saving Grace," 7 p.m., TNT. It turned out that Grace didn't kill the abusive priest after all; she turned him over to the authorities. Now her life goes on: She searches for a troubled boy whose dad died in the same Oklahoma City bombing that took Grace's sister. Also, her sex life heats up after her lover leaves his wife.

"Secret Diary of a Call Girl," 7:30 p.m., Showtime. In a fairly good episode, Belle's life skids when she gets a bad review on the Internet.

"Wanna Bet" debut, 8 p.m., ABC. Celebrities make bets on whether people can do odd stunts. This opener has Tom Green, Sherri Sheppard, George Takei and Harland Williams.

"Chasing Churchill: In Search of My Grandfather," 10 p.m., PBS. Over the next three Mondays, Celia Sandys revisits the places where Winston Churchill found his fame. In the fairly interesting opener, she views his fame as a young soldier.

"Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" finale, 10 p.m., MTV. Tonight someone gets the lead roles in Broadway's "Legally Blonde."