TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"American Music Awards," 7 p.m., ABC. Dick Clark's company knows how to put on a fun show. He has a clever host (Cedric the Entertainer) and lots of performers. There are interesting match-ups: Santana teams with Los Lonely Boys, Pharrell with Gwen Stefani, Cyndi Lauper with Sarah McLachlan, Bow Wow with Ciara and Omarion. Fresh from winning the top Country Music Association awards, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts will perform. So will Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. On the rock-pop side are Sheryl Crow, the Rolling Stones, the All-American Rejects and a Eurythmics reunion, plus two young pop stars, Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan.

OF NOTE

"I'm King Kong: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper," 3, 6, 10 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. Merian C. Cooper lived a big, adventurous life and then made big, adventurous movies. Here's a lively new biography of the macho movie producer. It sandwiches a 9 p.m. showing of his most famous film, the 1933 classic "King Kong."

"Gilmore Girls," 7 p.m., WB. Last week, Luke learned he apparently has a biological daughter, a teenager he never knew. Also, Rory returned home and got a newspaper job. Tonight's complications include Luke's erratic sister Liz. She's never been much of a homemaker, and now she suddenly wants to create the perfect Thanksgiving.

"Nova: The Storm That Drowned a City" (8 p.m.) and "Frontline: The Storm" (9 p.m.), PBS. These first-rate shows sometimes spend a year or more on one story, but not this time. Both have rushed looks at Hurricane Katrina. "Nova" views the science and engineering. It asks how the storm grew, why the levees failed and what can be rebuilt. "Frontline" views the government response, including charges the federal government reacted sluggishly.

"House," 8 p.m., Fox. A man who has AIDS gets in a fight with Dr. House and then becomes his patient.

"My Name is Earl," 8 p.m., NBC. Four years ago, it seems, Earl's misbehavior kept his dad (Beau Bridges) from being elected mayor. Earl figures he has to get him elected, even though his dad no longer wants it.

"Threshold," 9 p.m., CBS. Here is the first of two Tuesday trial runs. This hour — announced for a Friday, then postponed — has Elizabeth Berkley as a rich woman who suddenly attacks a bank teller. Also, an artist beheads her husband, and an attorney simply explodes. Since none of this is normal, the alien signal is suspected.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. A girl who is almost six months pregnant runs away from home. When she's attacked, beaten, and has a miscarriage, a complex court case evolves.

TONIGHT ON KHNL NEWS 8

What causes criminals to assault innocent people? We go behind bars to talk to the convicts. And by thinking like a thief, we also find out what steps you can take to make sure you're safe. That's on KHNL News 8 at 6 and 10.