TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Last Comic Standing," 8 p.m., NBC. This is when the show gets interesting, with comedians getting time to build laughs. Tonight, we learn which of the five finalists has been ousted. The others perform and viewers vote anew.

"Great Performances: Nureyev: The Russian Years," 9 p.m., PBS. Arriving at dance school, Rudolf Nureyev announced he would be the world's best dancer. That didn't make him popular, but it did make him right. He soon showed greatness and belligerence. He held up one show for an hour, refusing to wear baggy trousers. From then on it was only tights. On the urging of his friend, Teja Kremke, Nureyev defected to the West at 23. Ironically, Kremke was stopped by the Berlin Wall. He died at 37 in East Germany but left historic footage of early Nureyev. The narration here tends to be dreary, but old footage and new interviews offer a rich portrait of early genius.

OF NOTE

New Orleans coverage, all day. On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's destruction of New Orleans, Spike Lee has two projects. His "When the Levees Broke" reruns at 12:30 p.m. on HBO, and he and Soledad O'Brien helped 11 teens make videos for "CNN: Special Investigations Unit," at 2 p.m. on CNN. There's more on news channels and The Weather Channel, plus "Back to New Orleans" (a documentary by musician Deacon John Moore) at 7 p.m. on MyNetwork (KFVE).

"House of Payne," 6 and 6:30 p.m., TBS. In a two-parter, the family offers refuge to a fire victim who turns out to be thoroughly annoying. Also, Keshia Knight Pulliam (little Rudy on "The Cosby Show") plays Calvin's new girlfriend.

"Rescue Me," 7 p.m., FX. Tommy tries another date with the bizarre Beth (Amy Sedaris). Also, he learns more about his own troubled childhood. And Black Shawn (Larenz Tate) proves himself to the crew.

" 'Til Death," 7 and 7:30 p.m., Fox. Don't look for "Anchorwoman" here; after a big build-up, Fox canceled the show after one airing (due to poor ratings). It was a tacky idea (turning a former bikini model into a news anchor), but fun to watch. This sort of hasty step means viewers are less likely to try the next one. Filling the spot are two reruns dealing with Eddie and Joy's daughter, a college student.

"According to Jim," 7 and 7:30 p.m., ABC. In the first rerun, Jim goes to anger-management class and develops a fondness for revenge; in the second, Andy finds the wedding ring that Jim never said he'd lost.

"Steel Magnolias" (1989), 8 p.m., ABC Family. Comedy and drama are skillfully blended by a great cast, including Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field, Dolly Parton and an emerging Julia Roberts as a young, nervous bride with an illness.

"Crazy Sexy Cancer" (2007), 9 p.m., TLC. Diagnosed with incurable cancer at 31, actress Kris Carr made a film about her own journey and about cancer survivors.