Everything changes with time. Yesterday’s bad-boy anti-heroes become honored elder statesmen.

Tonight’s American Film Institute Life Achievement Tribute to Robert De Niro (8 p.m., USA) recalls an impressive career, from Martin Scorsese’s gritty 1973 drama “Mean Streets” to his recent comic roles in Harold Ramis’ “Analyze This” and Jay Roach’s “Meet the Parents.”

De Niro won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal as the young Vito Corleone in the 1974 drama “The Godfather, Part II.” In 1980, he received a Best Actor Academy Award for playing boxer Jake La Motta in “Raging Bull.”

Scorsese — who directed De Niro in some of his best films, including “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “King of Comedy” “Goodfellas” and “Casino” — will present him with the award. Many of De Niro’s co-stars will be on hand, including Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Joe Pesci, Don Rickles, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep, James Woods and Billy Crystal. The award ceremony was taped June 12 in Los Angeles.

• Kelsey Grammer is host of “An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre” (9 p.m., ABC), a variety revue performed before a bipartisan audience of Washington luminaries, most notably President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush.

This is the 23rd annual televised gala tribute at the theater since its reopening in 1968. For more than a century, the venue remained dark as a symbol of national mourning.

• The dismal ratings for last week’s debut of “Paradise Hotel” (8 p.m., Fox) are a sure sign that viewers won’t sit still for just any reality show. The predictable combination of hidden cameras, vain and shameless exhibitionists, and hot tubs has become terminally boring.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Ray irks Debra when he smiles at the thought of a woman who might replace her on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
• Rob learns the secret about the big payoff on “For Love or Money” (8 p.m., NBC).
• Friction with the feds on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

Late night

Demi Moore and Michelle Branch appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes Cameron Diaz, Jimmy Carr and Train on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Heidi Klum, Goran Visnijc and Todd Lynn are booked on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Brooke Burns and Powerman 5000 appear on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS).