Tube Notes

By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

• "American Idol: The Search For a Superstar," 8 p.m., Fox. All summer, the young contestants have fascinated us with their bright-eyed energy and amazing talent. The show is often marred by idiotic patter and plugs. The kids and judges, however, are amazing. Now the final two compete. Voters then will have two hours to pick a winner, who will be announced during the Wednesday finale.

Of Note

• "Biography," 5 and 9 p.m., A&E. We learn which presidents are ranked — from a poll of historians and others — as the 10 best and five worst.

• "40th Anniversary of the Improv," 7 p.m., NBC. Here's a tribute to the club that launched many top comics. Some of them — including Jay Leno, Ray Romano and Arsenio Hall — perform for the special. Others — including Richard Pryor and Woody Allen — are shown in clips.

• "Nova: Killer Disease on Campus," 8 p.m., PBS. Some college students came down with minor cold symptoms. Within a day meningitis was so virulent that they were near death.