Jenna Elfman returns to prime time comedy in “Courting Alex” (8:30 p.m., CBS), as Alex Rose, a workaholic lawyer. Her name may resemble that of Axl Rose, lead singer for “Guns N’ Roses,” but she’s not ready to welcome you to any jungle. Her day is scheduled to the smallest detail. She hasn’t purchased groceries or cooked a meal since 2002, and her “dates” consist of cell phone interruptions followed by protracted legal wrangling. She doesn’t have a life, but she’s got a wacky, lusty neighbor, a British painter with designs on her.

In the first episode, her father, a lawyer (Dabney Coleman in the role of a corporate shark he’s played far too many times), sends her to negotiate with a tavern owner whose reluctance to sell the family business is holding up a big real estate deal. She’s both intrigued and repelled by his young, hunky, blue-collar charms. So of course she kisses him. It’s the first impulsive thing she’s done since the turn of the century.

The pilot for “Alex” leaves it unclear whether this relationship is going to be the basis of the show or merely one romantic event in a series. And that’s rather key to the future of the highly derivative “Alex.” If they are an item, then “Alex” becomes “Dharma & Greg” in reverse, with Elfman in the uptight “Greg” role. If she moves on to other guys, then “Alex” can just throw its hat into the air and join the parade of comedies in the “Mary Tyler Moore” mold.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Unexpected legal woes on “Las Vegas” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ An awkward time for Jack and Audrey on “24” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ A random killing may be the work of a gang on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ After rescuing a child, Allison suffers dark visions of his future actions on “Medium” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Liberte, Egalite, Absurdite on “The Bachelor: Paris” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., ABC).