NBC's critically acclaimed if ratings challenged comedy lineup is back at full strength. "30 Rock" (7:30 p.m., NBC) returns with a plot in which art imitates life, or at least life in the media.
Jack (Alec Baldwin) grows livid after becoming the butt of a certain tabloid's joke. Baldwin has long been on the receiving end of the same (real) tabloid's vitriol and disrespect for decades. It doesn't seem to have hurt Baldwin's career one bit.
In the most welcome news of the night, "The Office" (8 p.m., NBC) returns with a typically awkward situation. Jim and Pam finally agree to go to dinner with Michael and Jan only discover that Andy and Angela have also been invited. That leaves Dwight the very odd man out.
"Scrubs" and "ER" also return.
¢ For some, tonight's action will be overshadowed by the "American Idol" (7 p.m., Fox) results show. This unusual third helping of the ratings steamroller arose because the powers that be decided it would be tacky to give some young worthy the boot last night while "Idol" was "giving back." Or maybe they just wanted a third night to crush the competition.
It's also a chance for "Idol" to focus on the amateurs at hand - the real reason so many viewers watch the show. TV programmers appear to have forgotten that fact.
The recent rush of celebrities to horn in on the reality scene has become a stampede. Stars crowd the stage of "Idol Gives Back," twist their torsos on "Dancing with the Stars," cut each other's throats on "Celebrity Apprentice" and reveal hidden gifts on "Secret Talents of the Stars."
But wait, there's more! Just this week, NBC announced a new wrinkle in the quickly spreading rash: Al Roker will host a show called "Celebrity Family Feud."
Tonight's other highlights
¢ With Earl stuck in his coma, Randy tries to complete his list on "My Name Is Earl" (7 p.m., NBC). Members of the Teutel family from "American Chopper" guest star.
¢ A recent public spat between Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage concerns foggy recollections of off-screen antics during the filming of the 1986 comedy misfire "Peggy Sue Got Married" (7 p.m., WE).
¢ On two episodes of "Desperate Housewives" (ABC), a twister (7 p.m.), and its aftermath (8 p.m.).
¢ Catherine feels personally responsible for a girl found murdered near a comedy club on "CSI" (8 p.m., CBS).
¢ With Jack's fate still unknown, the squad searches for the missing recipient of a recent heart transplant on "Without a Trace" (9 p.m., CBS).
¢ Brenner (guest star David Lyons) fails to teach the interns on "ER" (9 p.m., NBC).
¢ Eli and Keith take a prison to civil court on "Eli Stone" (9 p.m., ABC).
¢ The action gets steamy on "Step it Up & Dance" (9 p.m., Bravo).
Cult choice
Martin Mull and Eileen Brennan play rebellious DJs in the 1978 music-industry period piece "FM" (9 p.m., VH1 Classic), featuring a theme song by Steely Dan and appearances by rockers including Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett and REO Speedwagon.
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