TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "In the Motherhood" debut and "Samantha Who" return, 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC.

Bounced around the ABC schedule like an unwelcome guest, "Samantha Who" is an above-average comedy without a home. Now it's back, with a fairly good episode.

Samantha (Christina Applegate) is still struggling with amnesia and trying to be a better person. In the old days, she would have sabotaged her friend Andrea's relationship with a basketball star; now she tries to help — in her own, meddling way.

Meanwhile, her former boyfriend Todd feels he's being used. And her friend Dena finds an e-mail romance spinning out of control.

"In the Motherhood" also seems promising, but it has only made clips available.

The opener involves stay-at-home vacations. Jane (Cheryl Hines) wants to relax with her 8-month-old baby. Emily (Jessica St. Clair) creates a vacation-type guidebook to her home. Alas, Rosemary (Megan Mullally) prefers real vacations, in Italy or New Orleans or such.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: "American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox.

Yes, it's an upside-down Thursday for reality fans; "Survivor" isn't here, "Idol" is. (The switches were caused by basketball and Tuesday's presidential press conference respectively.)

For "Idol," the 10 remaining contestants had a chance Wednesday to do songs from the 50 years of Motown Records.

Now they'll hear a master. Smokey Robinson was 19 when he helped Berry Gordy launch Motown. He had 27 top-40 hits with the Miracles, in addition to writing and/or producing songs for others, including "My Girl."

Robinson will perform tonight; so will Ruben Studdard, the second "Idol" champion. Then — barring an intervention by the judges — one contestant will be eliminated.