What do Nikki McKibbin, Kimberley Locke, Jasmine Trias, Vonzell Solomon and Elliott Yamin have in common? They all made it to the semifinals of their respective seasons of “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox) before bowing out in the No. 3 position.

Some think Blake Lewis will join their ranks tonight, setting up a final match between professional singer Melinda Doolittle and high-school sensation Jordin Sparks in a battle between youth and experience.

At this point in the competition, the ranking becomes rather academic. Last year’s No. 3, Yamin, has cut an album and gone on to talk shows just like eventual winner Taylor Hicks. But neither has enjoyed the record sales of Chris Daughtry, who got the boot four weeks out.

¢ Speaking of TV history repeating itself, this “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC) season enters its last two weeks with echoes. Seems like just last year viewers were shocked out of their seats when Michael shot Ana Lucia and let Ben go. And that was just before a search party looking for Walt had its strange encounter with the Others.

Now we’ve just seen Ben shoot Locke, and this week, Jack and Sayid make plans for yet another violent encounter with the Others. ABC announced that “Lost” should be in the picture until 2010, so there will be plenty of mysteries to come.

Given Locke’s mysterious powers and the fact that he may have heard the voice of “Jacob” – who may or may not exist – I would not count Locke out of the picture just yet. On any other show, a guy with a bullet in his gut lying in a pit of skeletons would be a goner, but, hey, this is “Lost.” If the Eye Patch dude can return, so can Locke.

¢ While we’re on the subject of complex series with obsessive fans, the third season of “Battlestar Galactica” will unfold in marathon fashion over the next three mornings and afternoons, running from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Thursday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday on Sci Fi.

Tonight’s season finales

¢ A winner emerges on “America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m., CW).

¢ Brennan confronts her father (Ryan O’Neal) on “Bones” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Evil Frank makes it personal when he targets Gideon’s girlfriend on “Criminal Minds” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ Bad weather forces a crash landing of a plane full of coroners on “Crossing Jordan” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ A huge drug bust leads to tightened security on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Allison finds her life turned upside down when the public learns of her psychic powers on “Medium” (9 p.m., NBC). “Medium” will return next season.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ A commemorative game of “The Price Is Right” (7 p.m., CBS) salutes longtime host Bob Barker.

¢ “Secrets of the Dead” (7 p.m., PBS, check local listings) looks at an 1876 plot to free Irish political prisoners.