TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. After frolicking through its auditions for four weeks, "Idol" finally gets down to its real show. First is the intermediate stage. The survivors of the seven regional auditions are in Hollywood now. It will be a couple of weeks before we get to the TV sing-offs with viewers voting. So far, the show hasn't done much to set the foundation. It's been so busy obsessing on the oddest of auditions that it almost forgot to show us prospects to root for. At its best, "American Idol" has smart judges and talented, idealistic candidates. Gradually, it can get to the real show.

OF NOTE

"NCIS," 7 p.m., CBS. In the midst of a typically tough case, Tony admits he's falling in love.

"House," 8 p.m., Fox. Dr. House obsesses on a teen girl who survived a serious attack and seems insensitive to pain. Then again, he also obsesses on Cuddy's dating life.

"The Unit," 8 p.m., CBS. The team must defuse a bomb at the United Nations.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 8 p.m., NBC. Opposite forces collide when Logan and Wheeler work with an undercover, hip-hop cop (played by Sticky Fingaz) who investigates the rap-music industry.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. A mob lawyer (Cary Elwes) and his family have been brutally attacked. The man's grown daughter, clouded by a night of drinking and drugs, has trouble remembering what happened.

"Boston Legal," 9 p.m., ABC. Clarence faces his first case in court. Meanwhile, Denny is arrested for his bizarre scheme.

"Independent Lens: Motherland Afghanistan," 10 p.m., PBS. Nearly two years after the Taliban's downfall, filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi followed the return of her father (a doctor) to his native Afghanistan. He was shocked to find there had been little improvement in the renamed Laura Bush Maternity Ward of the country's largest women's hospital. None of the promised equipment and supplies had arrived. In frustration, Dr. Mojadidi left and returned two years later. His daughter follows his efforts at the hospital.