‘Bernie Mac’ worth following to new night

One of the highlights of Fox’s spotty schedule, “The Bernie Mac Show” (7 p.m., Fox), moves to a new night and time. Too bad. I thought the network’s Sunday-night comedy lineup was their strongest asset. After all, you can’t run “American Idol” every night of the week. On tonight’s “Mac,” Bernie begins to question Bryanna’s school’s touchy-feely approach to education. This show is always funniest when Bernie’s “old school” values collide with reality. It’s a winner whenever it airs.

  • No history of the pop culture of the early 1980s can ignore the “Nightmare on Elm Street” horror franchise. Encore unspools three Freddy flicks to keep you up all night, including the 1984 original “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (7 p.m., Encore), starring Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss and John Saxon. It also features a young Johnny Depp in his first film. The sequels “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child” (8:35 p.m.) and “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” (10:05 p.m.) follow.

Tonight’s other highlights

  • Mandy Patinkin stars in the 2004 made-for-television drama “NTSB: The Crash of Flight 323” (7 p.m., ABC).
  • Richard Gere and Winona Ryder star in the 2000 May-December romance “Autumn in New York” (7 p.m., Family).
  • Amy’s folks focus on Robert’s peculiar eating habits on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
  • Stuck in the panic room on “Cracking Up” (7:30 p.m., Fox).
  • A guest hits the jackpot then loses his wallet on “Las Vegas” (8 p.m., NBC).
  • A forensics-obsessed freak steals key evidence on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).
  • Second chances on “Average Joe: Adam Returns” (9 p.m., NBC).
  • John Stossel explodes popular myths and assumptions on “20/20” (9 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Tom Hanks and N.E.R.D appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes Mel Gibson and Prince on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Jim Carrey, Eric McCormack and Barenaked Ladies on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … John Larroquette, Carmen Kass and Chingy are booked on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS).