The addictive cop drama “The Shield” (9 p.m., FX) enters its fourth season with both continuity and major changes. As followers of the show know, Capt. David Aceveda (Benito Martinez) is leaving the precinct house to join the City Council, where, presumably, he’ll have even more opportunities for corruption.

With his departure comes the introduction of Glenn Close as the new captain, Monica Rawling, a 20-year veteran with ideas of her own. She wastes no time alienating the outgoing Aceveda with her notion of “privatizing” the funding of police work by seizing the assets of drug dealers and gang members.

The arrival of an actress of Glenn Close’s stature is certainly a validation of the show’s place as one of television’s premiere dramas. But the question remains, does she belong here? It’s difficult to accept Close as a police veteran accustomed to L.A.’s grim streets and gang warfare. This is no slight on Close — I couldn’t imagine Katharine Hepburn as a streetwise detective, either.

• “Project Greenlight” (8 p.m., Bravo) enters its third season on a different network and with a brand-new attitude. They actually want to make a film that might make a profit and find an audience. This year, the reality show follows the making of a horror film.

“Greenlight” will follow the filming of “Feast” over nine episodes. Complications ensue almost immediately: The script for “Feast” calls for far more special-effects magic and many more characters than the show’s $2 million budget can afford.

Tonight’s other highlights

• The final 12 compete on “American Idol” (9 p.m., Fox).
• The hospital’s new owner (Chi McBride, “Boston Public”) wants big changes on “House” (8 p.m., Fox).
• Actresses face the wrath of Faye Dunaway on “The Starlet” (8 p.m., WB).
• Nate blacks out after a bender on “Committed” (8:30 p.m., NBC). This is the season, and most probably the series, finale.
• Dunbar’s wife gives him an ultimatum on “Blind Justice” (9 p.m., ABC).