TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Burn Notice," 10 p.m., USA Network. Tim Matheson seems to have been in Hollywood forever, going back to his teen years as the voice of Jonny Quest and to his "Animal House" days. Now, at 60, he's a solid director and actor. He does both skillfully here. Matheson plays an ex-spy whose slick charm can't mask his malevolence. He wants Michael to kill a widow (Amy Pietz of "Caroline in the City"), whose stepson (Zachery Bryan of "Home Improvement") would inherit a fortune. There are plot holes, but it's still an OK story, skillfully directed and acted.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"America's Got Talent," 7 p.m., NBC. There's a drastic cut tonight — from 20 acts to 10. That's in the season's first Thursday results show. Remember to stay tuned for NBC's terrific comedy reruns.

OF NOTE

"My Name is Earl," 7 p.m., NBC. Maybe karma didn't want Earl to marry Billie after all.

"Hole in the Wall," 7 p.m., Fox. After a couple of "preview" episodes, "Hole" has its official debut. A wall moves toward people as they try to get through its odd-shaped hole. Don't complain. At least this has sent "Moment of Truth" to the shelf for a while.

"Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," 7 p.m., BBC America; and "Kitchen Nightmares," 8 p.m., Fox. First we see the restaurant-makeover show Gordon Ramsay did for British TV. Then comes the season opener of the American version. Ramsay visits the Handlebar Restaurant & Lounge, in Mount Sinai, N.Y.

"Grey's Anatomy," 8 p.m., ABC. There are some terrific scenes tonight as Meredith's therapist (Amy Madigan) refuses to let her quit.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. A prisoner (played by Method Man) is suspected of somehow manipulating two murders.

"The Office," 8, 8:30 and 9:29 p.m., NBC. In the first rerun, Jim and Pam reluctantly catch Michael's party. In the second, Stanley snaps at Michael. In the third, Jim hopes to close a deal on the golf course.