Produced by Simon Cowell, “American Inventor” (7 p.m., ABC) offers an entertaining blend of “American Idol,” a science fair and a TV shopping network.

After casting calls in seven major cities, a panel of four judges evaluates both new inventions and the men and women behind them. Passion and salesmanship count as much as the gadgets themselves.

Over the course of the two-hour debut, the judges will evaluate a new-fangled shovel created by a handy-man; an air-conditioner for car-bound dogs; a peculiar suit that doubles as a personal portable urinal; a portable, personal gym; edible snow globes; and a parade of bathroom-related gizmos.

The judges include Doug Hall, an engineer and inventor given to Hawaiian shirts; Ed Evangelista, an advertising executive with a New York accent as thick as a pastrami sandwich; Mary Lou Quinlan, a marketing consultant and founder of Just Ask a Woman; and Peter Jones, a telemarketing wizard from the United Kingdom. Members of the panel often clash and have genuine differences of opinion, as opposed to the contrived banter on “American Idol.”

¢ “Extreme Yachts” (8 p.m., HGTV) profiles floating mansions, some with helicopter pads. These sea-faring symbols of conspicuous consumption can fetch up to $80 million.

¢ “Confrontation” (9 p.m., A&E) recounts true tales of “Restorative Justice,” a new method of bringing emotional healing to crime victims by allowing them to confront, and often forgive, those who had wronged them.

Jennifer, a mother of five, was only a teenager when her father was stabbed to death while she slept in the next room. She gets a chance to a talk about the murder with her father’s killer, Billy. Jennifer’s husband accompanies her, but he cannot bring himself to forgive the man who robbed his children of their grandfather.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ The NCAA Basketball Tournament (6 p.m., CBS) begins. A second game follows at 8 p.m., time approximate.

¢ A babysitting nightmare on “Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m., UPN).

¢ A gift for dad (Beau Bridges) on Mothers Day on “My Name is Earl” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Marissa and Volchok grow closer on “The OC” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ Bring-your-children-to-work day on “The Office” (8:30 p.m., NBC).

¢ Weaver mulls hip-replacement surgery on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC). Armand Assante guest stars.