TONIGHT'S MUST-SEES

“THE BIG BANG THEORY,” 8:30 P.M ., CBS

As its third season nears, more people are finding this delightful series. Ratings climb; awards arrive.
The TV Critics Association voted it the best comedy and picked Jim Parsons (who plays Sheldon) for its individual comedy award. He's also nominated for an Emmy.
This rerun – one of three with Sara Rue (“Less Than Perfect”) guest-starring – offers a prime example. Wolowitz may have finally found the perfect woman for him (Rue) … until she falls for Leonard.

“OUT OF EGYPT,” 6 AND 7 P.M., DISCOVERY

Egypt's ancient traditions used to be considered unique. Not any more; Kara Cooney (an Egyptologoist at UCLA) views similar customs worldwide. Skulls were preserved near Jerusalem, centuries before the Egyptians did this; pyramids were built by the Aztecs, 2,700 years after the Egyptians.
And everywhere, remains are worshiped. Sri Lanka built a golden temple to hold what's said to be Buddha's tooth. In Vietnam, followers ignored Ho Chi Minh's request to be cremated; his remains are visited by 1,000 people a day.
Visiting these spots, Cooney (a 6-foot Texan) often seems out of place. That adds to the sense of an outsider's awe.

For more of today's best bets on the small screen, check out the blog and column at MikeHughes.tv.