Watch it
“American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox). Oh, why not? Though I almost guarantee no one this season will make a bigger pop-culture impact than the “Pants On the Ground” guy from last week.
“Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC). Jay is shocked (shocked!) when it’s suggested that one of his oldest friends is gay. And Claire gets jealous of Phil’s awesome universal remote.
“Cougar Town” (9:30 p.m., ABC). It’s been two funny episodes in a row. Can it be three? And can it be done now that Scott Foley’s guest stint is done?
“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with . . .” (10 p.m., Sundance). Bruce Springsteen visits for the first of a two-parter, chatting about his early career and performing a few songs. I read an account online from someone who was in the audience, and it’s supposed to be epic.
“Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC). Conan’s pulling out the big guns for what is likely his final week. Tonight: Adam Sandler, Joel McHale and Joss Stone.
Record it
“Human Target” (9 p.m., Fox). Chance protects a client from an assassin on a plane. Hmmm, on Sunday, he protected a client from an assassin on a train. Sensing a pattern here? On the bright side, he flies a passenger plane upside-down. Which would be cool, except in real life all the passengers would either fall on their heads or throw up, either of which would be really, really messy. Still, you don’t watch this show for reality. Turn off the ol’ brain and watch the pretty explosions.
“Man vs. Wild” (9 p.m., Discovery). Bear runs around the Montana wilderness and pulls a Wile E. Coyote act where he runs from an oncoming train in a tunnel.
“House Hunters” (9 p.m., HGTV). It’s a San Francisco episode! I always love these, even though the price tags make them kinda depressing. A “well-traveled” couple look for a house — it’s a rerun, but I don’t remember it.
“Leverage” (10 p.m., TNT). The gang takes down a shady loan shark to save the bar.
“The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central). Last week NBC exec Dick Ebersol ripped Conan O’Brien as a whiney loser. Let’s see if Colbert can break Ebersol when he visits tonight.
Skip it
“Nip/Tuck” (10 p.m., FX). Christian and Kimber try something new in bed. My god, between the two of them, how is that possible? Meanwhile, the docs try to rebuild some dude’s half-blown-off face. Ugh, this whole show gives me the creeps.
“Toddlers & Tiaras” (10 p.m., TLC). Speaking of shows that give me the creeps . . . .
