“Everybody Hates Chris,” “My Name is Earl” and “The Office” wrap up their seasons tonight. While none of these shows ranks in the top 30, they have demonstrated the creative comeback of the sitcom – a TV staple long left for dead.

Even before this season started, “Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m., UPN) attracted the most advance acclaim from critics and advertisers. I loved it. My only worry was that it would lose its way after a strong pilot episode. My fears were unfounded, and “Chris” has continued to be charming, smart, hip, irreverent and occasionally touching all season long.

Most comic writers are afraid of that last attribute – touching. The creators of “Seinfeld” bragged that their show was without “hugs or lessons.” That was right for “Seinfeld.” But in lesser hands, that attitude metastasizes into cynical, formulaic sitcoms devoid of humanity and heart. The makers of “Chris” are never afraid to admit that you can still laugh with a lump in your throat, or that sometimes those are the richest laughs of all.

Tonight’s “Chris” observes Mother’s Day by celebrating Father’s Day. Julius asks for peace and quiet on his big day, only to discover that he misses the chaos of family life.

¢ If “Chris” dares to mix heartwarming comedy with jokes about ghetto lifestyles and crack epidemics, “My Name is Earl” (7:40 p.m., NBC) does an equally great job of hiding its deeply moral, even religious nature. “Earl” may involve petty criminals, low-rent grifters and bargain-basement harlots, but, at its heart, it’s about divine grace and redemption. Pretty heady stuff for a sitcom set in a cheap motel.

In tonight’s finale, Earl tries to make up for the first transgression only to discover he may forfeit his lottery windfall. This doesn’t sit well with Randy, who finds himself reduced to eating the dust left in a bag of chips.

¢ This season, “The Office” (8:20 p.m., NBC) has done the near impossible. It has reached the point at which we no longer compare it (unfavorably) to the original British version.

The Scranton, Pa.-based comedy mockumentary has taken on a life of its own. At first, Steve Carell’s delusional Michael had a shrill, desperate demeanor that seemed out of place in this low-wattage environment. He has mellowed without seeming any less pathetic. The affection between the hapless Jim (John Krasinski) and the engaged-but-smitten Pam (Jenna Fischer) gets more deliciously painful with each passing week. On tonight’s finale: Michael sponsors a charity casino night, and the stakes grow very high.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Jeff Probst hosts “Survivor Panama: Exile Island” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ On two episodes of “That ’70s Show” (Fox), Red and Kitty put their house on the market (7 p.m.), the cast reminisce (7:37 p.m.). The season finale airs next week.

¢ On two episodes of “American Inventor” (ABC), the finalists use their $50,000 seed money (7 p.m.), four finalists make a 30-second spot for their device (8 p.m.).

¢ A casino tourist is taken hostage on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ Two missing-teen cases receive very different media attention on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Fresh from Darfur, Pratt faces a new crisis on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).