TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Nova: Forgotten Genius," 8 p.m., PBS. In the Alabama of Percy Julian's youth, education for blacks usually ended in eighth grade. He persisted and got to a white college (DePauw in Greencastle, Ind.). There, he lived in the attic of a fraternity where he was a waiter. Then the waiter became valedictorian. Facing biases throughout his life Julian made chemistry breakthroughs in the treatment of glaucoma, arthritis and cancer. This is beautifully told with Ruben Santiago-Hudson playing Julian.

"Independent Lens: Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life," 10 p.m., PBS. Billy Strayhorn grew up in a Pittsburgh home without electricity or a piano. He became a prodigy anyway, writing the stunning "Lush Life" at 16. Then he and Duke Ellington formed a musical partnership. Ellington got the credit. Strayhorn, a gay black man facing bias even in the band, preferred obscurity. He created the seminal "Take the A Train" and more. Robert Levi tells the story superbly with Dule Hill as Strayhorn and Dianne Reeves singing the classics.

OF NOTE

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. After promising to show the San Antonio auditions last week, Fox made a late switch. Now it has to show San Antonio, the only city left. After an auditions overview Wednesday, the show will get serious next week.

"The Unit," 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Here are two international adventures. In the first, Jonas takes command of a South Korean submarine that's trying to get a defecting North Korean scientist. In the second, a plan to slip nuclear-detecting devices into Iran goes horribly wrong.

"House," 8 p.m., Fox. A teenage Gypsy has gone into respiratory arrest and his family distrusts doctors. Dr. House figures he has bigger problems: His handicapped parking spot has been given away.

"Primetime," 8 p.m., ABC. The network brings back "The Outsiders," focusing on unusual people.

"Boston Legal," 9 p.m., ABC. Denise is pregnant. The timing is tough because she doesn't know who the father is.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Benson's struggle to save a boy leads to emotional pain, physical distress ... and a roughneck, played by former pro wrestler Bill Goldberg.