Fox continues to use the “American Idol” (7 p.m., Fox) franchise to dominate the competition. Proof that audiences love even the padded out, hour-long elimination night of “Idol” arrived last week when the show reached twice as many viewers as its nearest rival, “Survivor: Micronesia” (7 p.m., CBS). People who like it are saying that this season of “Survivor” is addictive. I think I’ll pass, as I have for the past half-dozen installments.

I’m mystified that viewers can sit through a solid 60 minutes of “Idol” as it rehashes the past two nights and then sends four worthies home. I wonder how many viewers watch it with only a TiVo or DVR and fast-forward through all of the belabored drama and manufactured tension.

Speaking of fast-forwards and rewinds, the repeat “pop-up video” version of “Lost” is the third most-watched program of the hour. The original “Lost” episodes are beaten in total ratings by repeats of “CSI” but win regularly among viewers 18 to 49 years old.

On two episodes of “Lost” (ABC,), Kate goes through great trials to expunge her past (7 p.m.), a rough ride for Desmond and Sayid (8 p.m.). Could the “turbulence” they encounter have something to do with that experiment with the rockets and the watches that show different times? And how come Desmond didn’t see any of this coming?

¢ Wondering when new editions of your Thursday-night favorites will return? Five new helpings of “Ugly Betty” have been scheduled to run beginning April 24. Five more “Grey’s Anatomy” melodramas are also in store starting April 24. There has been no word about Thursday night’s “Big Shots,” so don’t sit waiting for that to return.

Over on NBC, new episodes of “ER,” “The Office” and “30 Rock” return April 10. “My Name is Earl” returns with originals a week earlier on April 3.

CBS has announced six new episodes of both “CSI” and “Without a Trace” to begin as of April 3.

“Smallville” returns with five new episodes as of April 17. “Supernatural” returns a week later, April 24, with the first of four new hours.

That’s the return schedule as it stands today. Stay tuned.

¢ “The Tudors” doesn’t return to Showtime until March 30, but you can follow your Henry VIII intrigue in “A Man for All Seasons” (7 p.m., TCM), the acclaimed 1966 adaptation of the stage drama about Sir Thomas More. “Man” won six Oscars, including best actor for Paul Scofield as More.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ The producers of “Cops” return to Camden County on “My Name is Earl” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Kate Jackson (“Charlie’s Angels”) plays a baby-stealing pregnancy-faker in the 1993 made-for-TV drama “Empty Cradle” (8:50 p.m., Lifetime Movie Network).

¢ A figure from her past throws Sara into turmoil on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ Competitors toil on a bath-and-beauty photo spread to appear in a women’s magazine on “Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Jake comes clean on “In Treatment” (8:30 p.m., HBO).

¢ An ex-con vanishes on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Wendy mulls making a less-than-commercial movie set in India as Nico reveals her recent activities on “Lipstick Jungle” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Eli gets a second chance to try a case right on “Eli Stone” (9 p.m., ABC).

Cult choice

A monster grows more powerful as it absorbs light and energy, and only a teacher (Johnathon Schaech) can stop it in the 2008 shocker “Living Hell” (8 p.m., Sci Fi).