American Movie Classics wants a younger, hipper audience. Time was, one associated AMC with its former host Bob Dorian and films like Ginger Rogers’ 1940 Oscar vehicle “Kitty Foyle.” Along with the decision to add annoying commercials, the execs at the cable network have opted to show more movies from the past three decades. AMC will also present edgier documentaries like “Hollywood High” (7 p.m., AMC), a frank, funny and occasionally thought-provoking discussion about drug use in motion pictures and Hollywood’s shifting attitudes toward abuse and addiction.

A panel of directors, writers and actors, including Penelope Spheeris, Jim Jarmusch, Hubert Selby Jr. and Stephen Gaghan, dismiss the campy quality of cautionary antidrug movies. A few younger voices, including “Traffic” writer Gaghan and “Requiem for a Dream” director Darren Aronofsky, offer challenging arguments about addiction and the futility of the so-called “war on drugs.” “Hollywood High” is a smarter documentary than you might expect.

Tonight’s other highlights

• “Veritas: The Quest” has been canceled to make way for war coverage (7 p.m., ABC).
• A drug dealer’s defense sparks a political ruckus on “The Practice” (8 p.m., ABC).
• Federal interference complicates the trail of evidence on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).
• “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS) will broadcast this week from New Orleans. Roseanne and Buckwheat Zydeco are booked tonight.

Series notes

A policy of honesty on “King of Queens” (7 p.m., CBS) … A little cheat on “Boston Public” (7 p.m., Fox).

Courtside tickets on “Yes, Dear” (7:30 p.m., CBS) … Higher education on “One on One” (7:30 p.m. UPN).

Altar bound on “Married by America” (8 p.m., Fox) … William’s dilemma on “Girlfriends” (8 p.m., UPN) … Colin returns on “Everwood” (8 p.m., WB) … Judy and Linda spat on “Still Standing” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … Jordan vows to avenge the victim of a meth lab explosion on “Crossing Jordan” (9 p.m., NBC) … Chats with a Confederate ghost on “Miracles” (9 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Chevelle performs on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes Bill Paxton, Alex Rodriguez and Lucy Woodward on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).