Are sitcoms going to the dogs? The Animal Planet is launching its first situation comedy, “Beware of Dog” (7 p.m.); with a title like that, you can understand why a tape was not made available for review. “Dog” stars a lovable mutt named Jack who insinuates himself into the lives of a typical sitcom household. But rather than merely roll over and play friendly, Jack makes wisecracks (via voice-over) about members of his adopted family.

Viewers of a certain age may find this idea slightly familiar. Way back in the mid-1950s, “Little Rascals” star Jackie Cooper starred in a television comedy called “The People’s Choice.” Cooper played a young city councilman who had to keep his marriage a secret from his father-in-law, who happened to be the mayor. The only thing that kept the contrived plot from falling apart was the presence of Cleo, a droopy basset hound who would turn to the audience and make sardonic remarks about her human companions. While “The People’s Choice” only ran from 1955 to 1958, reruns ran well into the 1960s. My brothers and sisters loved it so much that we named our own dog Cleo. Over the years, I have met many other dog owners who were similarly inspired by this silly sitcom.

The documentary “Thug Angel” (8 p.m., VH1) explores the life, music and early, violent death of rap star Tupac Shakur. Directed by Peter Spirer who received a 1993 Academy Award nomination for “Blood Ties,” his film about photographer Sally Mann, “Thug Angel” includes never-before-seen footage of Shakur as an idealistic teenager. It also features interviews with Notorious B.I.G., Marion “Suge” Knight, Quincy Jones, and David Hilliard, the co-founder of the Black Panthers.

“Biography” (7 p.m., A&E) profiles Brazilian soccer superstar Pele, who remains the game’s greatest star and most widely recognized ambassador. As a teenager, Pele broke Brazilian soccer’s official color barrier. By 17, he would score the winning goal in the 1958 World Cup and go on to become the only athlete to play on three World Cup winning teams. In the 1970s, Pele was instrumental in bringing professional soccer to the United States. This “Biography” profile also interviews some of Pele’s Brazilian critics who feel that he too easily sold out to that nation’s corrupt military dictators and that Pele turned his back on his fellow black Brazilians.

Tonight’s other highlights

Dr. Crane’s women (Shelley Long and Bebe Neuwirth) haunt him on an hour-long repeat episode of “Frasier” (8 p.m., NBC)

Five remaining contestants compete on “American Idol: The Search for a Superstar” (8 p.m., Fox).

The boys in the band perform their hits on the repeat special “‘NSync Live! The Atlantis Concert” (8 p.m., UPN).

Dolly (Mercedes Ruehl) convenes a meeting in part two of the four-part drama “Widows” (9 p.m., ABC).

Series notes

“Rerun” is new … A reporter finds himself court-martialed on “JAG” (7 p.m., CBS) … On back-to-back episodes of “The Rerun Show” (NBC), performances of “Bewitched” and “What’s Happening” (7 p.m.), “Married with Children” and “One Day at a Time” (7:30 p.m.)… Class photos on “That ’70s Show” (7 p.m., Fox) … On back-to-back episodes of “According to Jim” (ABC), a Thanksgiving travesty (7 p.m.) and a Christmas crisis (7:30 p.m.) … Dawn’s ploy for attention proves very dangerous on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (7 p.m., UPN) … Lorelai and Rory help Luke bury his uncle on “Gilmore Girls” (7 p.m., WB) … Apu strays on “The Simpsons” (7:30 p.m., Fox).

JoBeth Williams and Robert Loggia guest star on “The Guardian” (8 p.m., CBS) … Andy is taken hostage on “NYPD Blue” (8 p.m., ABC) … Rapid weight loss “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB).