TODAY'S MIGHT-SEES

"Mad Men," 7, 8 and 10 p.m., AMC. Last week's season opener was well crafted but didn't have much of a plot. This one makes up for that. A plane crash creates instant crises, personal and business. Meanwhile, we get surprising peeks at the private lives of Paul and Peggy.

"Design Star" finale, 9 p.m., and "Summer Showdown" debut, 10 p.m., both HGTV, Oceanic digital channel 1323. First, the channel names its new "Star," getting his or her show. It will be Jennifer Bertrand, 32, of Olathe, Kansas, or Matt Locke, 38, of Los Angeles. Last week, each had $20,000 and 36 hours to complete rooms for a Hurricane Katrina victim. Then viewers voted. This finale will include a reunion. Then comes a "Showdown" between two of the channel's experts: Vern Yip and Cynthia Rowley must each remake a room in six hours.

OF NOTE

"L.A. Hard Hats," 6 and 7 p.m., National Geographic Channel. This so-so film follows people building a Los Angeles skyscraper. It adds lots of thunderous music and narration.

"Generation Kill," 6 and 8:15 p.m., HBO. An odd sort of humor — droll, dry, darkly cynical — runs through this hour. The supply truck was destroyed, men are hungry, missions are perplexing and the Marines have little to do except grumble.

"High School Musical: Get in the Picture," 7 p.m., ABC. The 12 finalists, including Hawai'i girls Christina Brown and Christie Brooke, visit "High School Musical 3" and audition for director Kenny Ortega.

"The Simpsons," 8 and 8:30 p.m., Fox. In the first rerun, Sideshow Bob seeks revenge; in the second, Homer loses shards of his memory.

"Million Dollar Password," 8 p.m., CBS. This rerun has Susie Essman and game-show veteran Betty White.

"Desperate Housewives," 9 p.m., ABC. In a mostly fun episode, Susan's hunky cousin (Chris Carmack) finds trouble.

"Pam: Girl on the Loose" debut, 10 p.m., E. Don't expect any loose-lady shocks here. Pamela Anderson does flash her body around but otherwise comes across as a sober soul and an animal-rights activist.