TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006), 5 p.m., and "Bill Maher: The Decider," 7 p.m.; both HBO. It's a night of laughs and intelligence for HBO. Maher's "Real Time" talk show returns Aug. 24, but here's a standup special from Boston to warm us up. It's live, so we can't guarantee anything; still, expect it to be timely and funny. Before that is "Little Miss Sunshine," which crosses categories. It's an independent film that plays like a family comedy; it's downbeat or upbeat, depending on how you view it. There are decent-enough people in this extended family, but each is wrapped up in his own fumbling efforts at life. The exception (Alan Arkin) throws himself totally into the dream of his granddaughter (Abigail Breslin) to win a beauty pageant. No one else seems to have time for her, but suddenly everyone is wedged into a yellow Volkswagen bus, pageant-bound, with big surprises ahead. Arkin won a supporting Oscar and Breslin was nominated for one. Others — Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette — are strong. There was even a best-picture nomination, a big jump for a small film.

"Hannah Montana," 8:05 p.m., Disney Channel. For most of this half-hour, we get a typical "Hannah" — bright, broad, loud and moderately funny. Another teen pop star (played by Selena Gomez, who has her own Disney series coming) starts a feud. Hannah (Miley Cyrus) wants to out-sing her on stage, but her dad (Billy Ray Cyrus) has hurt his back and won't let her go without him. All of that is accompanied by the usual mugging and sight gags, aimed for young ages and low denominators. And this time, it's leading up to a moment in which the dad sings a song to his daughter.

OF NOTE

"David Beckham: New Beginnings," 1:30 p.m., and soccer, 2:30 p.m., ESPN. First is a profile of Beckham, the British soccer star who has a pop-idol sort of following. Then is his first game for the Los Angeles Galaxy; it's just an exhibition game with Chelsea, but the world will be watching.

"The Godfather Saga," 2 p.m., Bravo. After making brilliant "Godfather" films (1972 and 1974), Francis Ford Coppola combined the two and re-arranged them.

"The Princess Diaries" (2001), 7 p.m., ABC. Here's the lightweight story of an American loner who learns she's royalty in a small kingdom. It's a simple story, made watchable by the casting of Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews and the solid direction of Garry Marshall.

"The Unit," 7 p.m., CBS. After capturing three people in this rerun, the team is pursued by Pakistani militia. It heads to a U.S. command post, only to learn that the lieutenant doesn't have the confidence of her men.

"She's Moving In" debut, 7 p.m., WE. This is at least the third cable design series to focus on that point where a man and woman merge their homes. It keeps things youthful by focusing on the unmarried, even using the phrase "love nest" in the opener. As it happens, the lovers (ages 29 and 27) are likable souls, moving into his micro-sized apartment. Nicole Facciuto, the designer, does a good job of making the space work.

"America's Got Talent," 7:30 p.m., NBC. Here's a quick rerun of Tuesday's episode. The show has finally picked its 20 finalists.

"Lonesome Dove," 8 p.m., Ion. This is the final chapter of the slow but richly crafted, eight-hour miniseries. A promise requires Call (Tommy Lee Jones) to make a solemn trip back to Texas.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. In this rerun, Allison is supposed to be probing a congressman's death. Then why does she keep dreaming of a little boy trapped in a well?

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Justin Timberlake doubles as host and musical guest in this rerun.