TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"ER" 9:01 p.m., NBC. The clouds have finally lifted for "ER" fans. The show will be back next fall. And tonight, it has the first of its six post-strike episodes. Beyond the hospital, there are personal crises. Abby (Maura Tierny) heads to Croatia, unsure if she'll tell Luka (Goran Visnjic) about her affair. Sam (Linda Cardellini) learns that Gates (John Stamos) and Julie (Reiko Aylesworth) have split. That's part of a big night, with NBC having new episodes of its dandy Thursday lineup. That's a week behind CBS, but two weeks ahead of ABC.

"American Idol" (Fox) or "Survivor" (CBS), both 7 p.m. The reality giants collide. That's because "Fox" inserted its "Idol Gives Back" fundraiser yesterday. The results show, trimming the field to seven, was moved to tonight.

OF NOTE

"Desperate Housewives," 7 p.m., ABC. Leading into its return Sunday, this show reruns its two most recent hours. These are big ones, centering on a tornado. People are killed, secrets are revealed, lives and attitudes are changed.

"My Name is Earl," 7 p.m., NBC. In a bizarre (and sometimes very funny) episode last week, Randy stole an ambulance to take his comatose brother Earl to the hospital. Tonight, Earl's still in a coma and in a 1950s-sitcom fantasy. Randy tries to take over the list.

"30 Rock," 7:30 p.m., NBC. A tabloid quotes an unnamed staffer as calling Jack a "class-A moron" who "can eat my poo." This may be accurate, but Jack wants an investigation.

"The Office," 8 p.m., NBC. Jim and Pam are running out of excuses for avoiding dinner with Michael and Jan. Andy and Angela are also invited, making Dwight jealous.

"Scrubs," 8:30 p.m., NBC. Turk wants to please Carla by learning Spanish.

"Without a Trace," 9:01 p.m., CBS. While Jack is in critical condition, his team searches for a missing patient.