Elvis Costello has come a long way since he and his band The Attractions defied the NBC censors to play “Radio Radio” on “Saturday Night Live” back in 1977. The once angry rocker will guest star tonight on “Frasier” (8 p.m., NBC), that most genteel of comedies. He plays an annoying street musician whose warbling drives the fussy brothers Crane from their favorite hangout, the Cafe Nervosa.

• Speaking of musical gigs, the neo-garage rock duo The White Stripes will appear on four consecutive episodes of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC). Ray Liotta and Bill Bellamy also appear tonight. The White Stripes will perform a new song every night. And remember, if you’re too old — or busy — to stay up for “Conan,” you can catch repeats of the show on Comedy Central at 6 p.m. the next day.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Down to six on “American Idol” (7 p.m., Fox).
• Lorelai plans to surprise Mom with a big pizza when Dad surprises her with a big check on “Gilmore Girls” (7 p.m., WB).
• Jack clings to life as the search for the chip continues on “24” (8 p.m., Fox).
• Maxine appears to adjust to tragedy just a little too easily on “Judging Amy” (9 p.m., CBS).
• Sipowicz intervenes in Connie’s family problem on “NYPD Blue” (9 p.m., ABC).
• Lucky and Theresa (Ever Carradine) grow closer as his gambling problem worsens on “Lucky” (9 p.m., FX).

Series notes

An officer’s body is found floating in the Potomac on “JAG” (7 p.m., CBS) … On back-to-back episodes of “Just Shoot Me” (NBC): centerfold memories (7 p.m.); Jack hires Finch’s father (7:30 p.m.) … Dating woes on “8 Simple Rules” (7 p.m., ABC) … Giles arrives with three trainees on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (7 p.m., UPN).

Matchmaking on “According to Jim” (7:30 p.m., ABC).

A difficult case draws Nick and Lulu closer on “The Guardian” (8 p.m., CBS) … Jackson meddles in a client’s love affair on “Platinum” (8 p.m., UPN) … Clark loses control on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB).

Commercial potential on “Watching Ellie” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … Going local on “Lost at Home” (8:30 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Steve Martin and the Foo Fighters appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Matt Dillon, Wanda Sykes and the Blue Man Group on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC)