Are we defined by what we do, or what we avoid doing? It would be easy, but regrettable, to drag in cliches about “the dog days of summer” while discussing the CBS reality hit “Greatest American Dog” (7 p.m., CBS), so I will have to show some editorial forbearance.

And forbearance is just what the dogs on “Greatest American Dogs” exhibited last week when they were commanded to sit right next to their masters’ (or are they mentors?) dinner and not wolf it down. Then they were commanded to sit still (on a dining room chair no less) and stay while their human companion marched around the table.

While watching all of these dogs not wolfing and exhibiting forbearance, I was struck by the fact this was essentially a show about dogs doing nothing. It was probably less than they would like to do, but they were doing nothing, notwithstanding, and showing a great deal of grace in spite of the unusual and, at times, humiliating circumstances.

The rather breathtaking fact about this show about dogs doing nothing is not the fact that it is televised at all, but that it was among the most popular programs of the week, ranking right up there with “America’s Got Talent” and a random “CSI” rerun.

Since I’ve promised not to drag in the “dog days of summer,” we could just put the show’s popularity down to July, a time when viewers’ minds and attentions (like those of the dogs at the dinner table) are supposed to be elsewhere.

But it seems that only the networks are thinking that way. They might like to settle for bite-sized summer ratings, but “The Closer” set another record for TNT during the same week, and a rather grim-looking new Batman movie reached some new box office milestone.

The networks weren’t always so lazy and indifferent to summer viewers. Shows like “Survivor,” “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and even “Seinfeld” all found audiences during the period that I’ve promised not to call the “dog days of summer.”

I’ve got to credit one of the judges on “Greatest Dog” for coming down rather harshly on a needy and tearful contestant who put her pooch in a party dress. Apparently it never occurred to the woman that this was not only tacky but could prevent other dogs from sniffing her dog properly and inhibit crucial canine communication. “A dog is not a Barbie Doll,” the judge declared.

¢ Residents of a “perfect” neighborhood go to gruesome lengths to make sure it stays that way on “Fear Itself” (9 p.m., NBC).

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ “Last Comic Standing” (7 p.m., NBC) becomes the latest show to pretend that Hugh Hefner still matters.

¢ A popular politician’s murder requires new techniques of investigation on “CSI” (7 p.m., CBS)

¢ Wilhelmina develops an image problem on “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ The series “Black in America” (8 p.m., and 11 p.m., CNN) concludes. Soledad O’Brien hosts.

¢ Trina throws a puzzle party with a naughty twist on “Swingtown” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ A boy with a brain tumor faces risky surgery on “Hopkins” (9 p.m., ABC).

¢ Kathy has advice for her mother on “My Life on the D-List” (9 p.m., Bravo).

¢ The Hoosiers, The Black Keys and Manu Chao appear on “Live From Abbey Road” (9 p.m., Sundance).