Blessed with a voice as clear as glass and as warm as chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Nat King Cole became one of the most popular recording stars of the postwar period. He helped create and sustain an entire record company and single-handedly integrated millions of American living rooms as the first black host of a network variety hour. “American Masters” (8 p.m., PBS, check local listings) follows his remarkable rise from Alabama poverty to jazz musician to pop superstardom and an early death.

“Masters” presents interviews with a number of musicians influenced by Cole, including B.B. King, Tony Bennett, Isaac Hayes, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Eartha Kitt and Carlos Santana. King knew Cole was something special when he noticed how many white people were buying his records. More than a decade before rock ‘n’ roll, Cole had crossover appeal that transcended the racial attitudes of his times.

Cole’s million-selling records like “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Mona Lisa” enabled Capitol Records to compete with other major companies and to erect its signature building in Los Angeles, still known as “The House That Nat Built.”

Cole saw his American popularity decline with the rise of rock ‘n’ roll. He spent his final years touring extensively overseas and wooing millions of foreign fans by recording and performing in Spanish, Japanese and German.

A heavy smoker, Cole died of lung cancer in 1965. He was only 45.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Howie Mandel hosts “Deal or No Deal” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Sydney and Sark look for the last Rimaldi clue on “Alias” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ A.J. Cook stars in the 2003 teen shocker “Final Destination 2” (7 p.m., WB).

¢ Winners emerge on the two-hour finale of “Amazing Race 9” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ The top three compete on the season finale of “America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m., UPN). For those keeping score, this marks the last hour of original programming on the UPN network.

¢ Human remains strike a very personal chord on the season finale of “Bones” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ The top two finalists emerge on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ Michael gathers a posse to look for Walt on “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Bombs explode all over town on the season finale of “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Seemingly random break-ins result in the murders of relatives of a police snitch on “Law & Order” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Underlay and Russell plan a rescue on the season finale of “Invasion” (9 p.m., ABC).