One of the dozen will go home after tonight’s “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox). Audiences were shocked last week to see Sanjaya Malakar and Haley Scarnato make the top 12 and presumed contenders Sundance Head and Sabrina Sloan get the hook.

Viewers should get used to these upsetting surprises. We’ve reached the point where “Idol” becomes a popularity contest as well as a singing competition. Malakar and Scarnato probably owe their continued good fortune to judge Simon Cowell. His caustic remarks surely inspired sympathy votes for both singers. He should keep that in mind. His brutal comments have real, if unintended, consequences. Simon may be the real reason Sundance and Sabrina were sent packing.

Barring a truly disastrous performance, I have a feeling that Malakar will stick around. He has a pleasant voice, can carry a tune and has a sophisticated sense of phrasing for a teenager. More to the point, every season seems to feature a nice, nonthreatening male figure (think Clay Aiken, Kevin Corvais and John Stevens), whose appeal to adolescent girls (and their mothers and fathers) can’t be underestimated. Corvais and Stevens remained in the competition long after the judges had given up on them. I think Malakar may do the same.

¢ First came the faux “Cops” show “Reno 911.” Now we have “Halfway Home” (9:30 p.m., Comedy Central), an ensemble series set in a state-run house for recent parolees. Can an improvisational take on the Department of Motor Vehicles be far behind?

A mixture of hardened criminals, snitches and the just plain deranged, “Halfway Home” gives its actors plenty of material to work with. The cast includes Oscar Nunez (“The Office,” “Reno 911”). If being unfunny were a crime, this show would do time.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ After the Marines arrive, some townsfolk believe conditions will return to normal on “Jericho” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ The Panthers are only one game removed from the playoffs on “Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ A killer follows Brennan’s new mystery novel to the letter on “Bones” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ The squad questions a terror suspect on “Criminal Minds” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ An autopsy slip may lead to a flu epidemic on “Crossing Jordan” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ A parents weekend inspires a college daze on “‘Til Death” (8:30 p.m., Fox). Now airing at a new time and day.

¢ A subway party scene turns deadly on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).