TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Texas Ranch House," 8 p.m., PBS; continues through Thursday. The year is 1867 and Texas is in transition. During the Civil War, longhorn cattle were ignored; they roamed free, reproducing. Outsiders can now start a ranch and try to round them up. That's just what some outsiders — from the 21st century — try in this eight-hour reality miniseries. Bill Cooke is a hospital administrator. He arrives by stagecoach with his wife (a homemaker), their three teen daughters and Maura Finkelstein, a "girl of all work." The guys are already there. They include a crabby foreman, a grumpy cook and some would-be cowboys. Several people soon become hard to like. The senior Cookes come off as cold and distant. The foreman and cook come off even worse. Still, the cowboys and Maura are a wonderfully likable bunch. We quickly feel the problems of unending work and unrelenting heat. It all seemed greener and easier in the Hollywood westerns.

OF NOTE

"All of Us," 4:30 p.m., UPN (KIKU). Facing a midlife crisis, Robert responds in a guy way: He gets a motorcycle and dates a college student.

"Prison Break," 7 p.m., Fox. Things are tougher than ever. Not only is Linc in solitary, but he's also chained to a wall. Michael's prison-break plan needs some rethinking after the hole in the floor of the guard's break room is discovered. Meanwhile, the scheming vice president faces new pressures.

"How I Met Your Mother," 7:30 p.m., CBS. There's nothing like going to a prom shortly before your wedding. Lily (the delightful Alyson Hannigan) sneaks into a prom so she can hear a band that she might hire for the wedding.

"24," 8 p.m., Fox. When last seen, Henderson had been recaptured and Jack had slipped into the cargo section of a plane just before take-off. Tonight, he faces airborne crises.

"The New Adventures of Old Christine," 8:30 p.m., CBS. There's more frustration for Christine at her son's school when the "new Christine" (her ex-husband's new girlfriend) makes a better impression during parent night.

"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. A rich man gets married on a cruise ship before being killed.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. Molly Ringwald guest stars as a woman who shows up in Allison's dreams without being harmed. Allison remains convinced she's in danger.

"What About Brian," 9 p.m., ABC. Brian tries to simplify his life by spending the evening with Lisa. Alas, people have other plans for him.