Fashion highs, lows get ‘Ugly’

Betty discovers something suspicious about Sofia (Salma Hayek) just as Daniel seems on the verge of proposing on “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m., ABC). Meanwhile, the staff wonders about Wilhelmina’s charm offensive.

“Betty” fans and other viewers obsessed with the beauty business can transition smoothly to “Fashion Police” (8 p.m., Style), the half-hour digest of fashion highs, lows and street chic. Hosts Bobbie Thomas and Robert Verdi offer a mix of interviews with famous designers as well as amusing chats with people on the street about their clothes and accessories.

In one case, Verdi seems stunned by a passerby who sports a vintage leather coat that evokes the era of “Superfly” and “Shaft.” Then its owner astounds Verdi with the fact that he picked it up in a small-town thrift store for $3. I like a show that can celebrate expensive designer wear and cheap stuff at the same time.

But no “Style” network show would be complete without some celebrity endorsements. Folks from Queen Latifah to Vivica A. Fox cite their favorite name-brand designers. But bold-faced names including Matthew Perry and Mariska Hargitay reveal style secrets that cost less than $20.

¢ The obsession with celebrity addiction, recovery and nonrecovery has become a minor niche in basic-cable programming. Tonight’s installment of “The Final 24” (9 p.m., Biography) takes a moment-by-moment look at the final hours of promising actor River Phoenix on Oct. 31, 1993, the day of his fatal overdose. Last week’s “Final” episode examined John Belushi’s unfortunate end.

While these shows have a beginning, middle and tragic end, others explore addiction as an ongoing process. VH1 has specialized in the addict-on-the-mend genre with “Breaking Bonaduce,” “Shooting Sizemore” and a recent documentary peek at Courtney Love embracing Buddhism after three months of sobriety. One can’t help thinking that some young actors and actresses are living their lives as a kind of ongoing audition for this tawdry redemptive theater. And you can’t help thinking that viewers are rooting for some to fall off the wagon. As such, these voyeuristic spectacles are not unlike NASCAR. Some root for their favorite drivers; others just wait around for the collisions.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Deputized has-beens ride shotgun with the Muncie police department on the reality series “Armed & Famous” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ Roshomon hits Camden County as Randy, Joy and Earl take turns narrating a buried-treasure story on “My Name is Earl” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Michael puts the office on the buddy system on “The Office” (7:30 p.m.).

¢ Taylor’s ex’s book tour takes him to Newport on “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox). For those keeping score, this once buzz-worthy show will air its final episode Feb. 22.

¢ George’s father goes under the knife on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Sebastian hopes that he can convict a child killer and free a wrongly accused man on “Shark” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Kovac thinks Abby is spending too much time with a patient on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Marin bides her time on “Men in Trees” (9 p.m., ABC).