There's a new episode of "Lost" on tonight, but television Mike Hughes suggests watching the show that leads into it, too.

"BETTER OFF TED" DEBUT, 7:30 P.M., ABC

Somehow, ABC has concocted a comedy that makes a logical lead-in to "Lost."

Episodes begin with promotional films for the fictional Veridian Dynamics. Slickly impersonal, they remind you of the Dharma Initiative video on "Lost."

Then we step into the gray-beige world of Veridian, with Ted (Jay Harrington) as our guide. At first, we have doubts: Yes, this is a sharp satire of a soul-less world, but is there anyone to root for?

Have patience; that shows up in the second half of the opener and in next week's episode.

We start to see a human spark in Ted. He provides what Don Draper does in "Mad Men" -- an empty suit at first, but then bits of warmth.

We also meet his delightful daughter, age 7. And the one co-worker who actually wears colors; as played by Andrea Anders ("Joey"), she brings a human joy.

"AMERICAN IDOL," 8 P.M., FOX

For country fans, this will be a fine night. It includes performances by Brad Paisley, Randy Travis and former "Idol" champ Carrie Underwood.

For others, this can be a disaster. In the past, country week has doomed singers who grew up far from Nashville. That was the elimination week for Mandisa, Anthony Federov, Ramiele Malubay and, alas, Sanjaya Malakar.