If there's one thing J.J. Abrams has little trouble with, it's getting out-of-the-box attention for his new series. And with a track record that includes Alias and Lost, it makes perfect sense. The latest conspiratorial model off the Abrams assembly line is Fringe, which begins tonight (Fox, 8 PM) in a familiar way: an inexplicable incident involving an airplane. You won't be surprised to learn that this is the jumping off point for mystery that Fox hopes will linger till midway through the next decade.

The airplane in question lands in Boston with everyone on board having died in a gruesome way. The incident is investigated by FBI special agent Olivia Dunham (relative newcomer Anna Torv), quirky scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble), and Bishop's son Peter (Joshua Jackson). Lance Reddick, who has managed to be frightening on Lost even though no one is really sure yet what he does, is on hand as well. The subject matter and the presence of the FBI can't help but call to mind an earlier Fox hit, The X-Files, and Abrams has said that's what he's aiming for: a show that provides week-to-week excitement while continuing to develop an overarching storyline for the benefit of the most dedicated fans. In a fall season mostly without buzz thanks to the writers' strike, this one is going to make noise.

America's Got Talent (NBC, 8 PM): We've reached the top 20, and it didn't even take three months! This show is zipping right along! I'm totally not in the spirit of this show, because I still think the zany Inndigo girls have been the only fun thing about this season.

Big Brother 10 (CBS, 8 PM): The final four become three tonight as someone other than Head of Household Dan is evicted. I guess Dan has someone to cover his teaching and coaching duties, although if he wins (which doesn't seem likely, angry as people are at him) he can always take a year or two off.

90210 (CW, 8 PM): Annie and Dixon are dragged to a family bowling night by their parents. Of course they bowl, they're from Kansas, see? That's all we do for fun in the Midwest until it's hayride season! And we only have sex for procreation! Sigh. Also, Kelly hits the roof when she realizes that her mother's drinking is impacting Silver.

Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family, 8 PM): The summer finale for a show that did exactly what ABC Family hoped it would. Tonight, Amy and Ben come to a decision about how far their relationship should go, Grace is more into Ricky than ever, to the alarm of friends and family, and Adrian turns up missing.

Eureka (SciFi, 9 PM): A hapless would-be superhero creates more problems than he solves, forcing Carter to redouble his efforts to protect the town; Thorne's investigations dig deep.

Fashion Rocks (CBS, 9 PM): Denis Leary, better known for wearing hockey jerseys, is the host of this fifth annual blowout at Radio City Music Hall. The even less fashionable Kid Rock is among the performers, as are Beyonce, Chris Brown, and Justin Timberlake. I'm from the generation that believed fashion and rock shouldn't mix, unless it was Elton John.

Greek (ABC Family, 9 PM): It's Casino Night: what a wonderful message to send to our youth. Money issues are key tonight: Ashleigh's friends are worried about the debt she carries, and Rebecca wants to buy Cappie a car.

Privileged (CW, 9 PM): The CW is breaking the mold with this new series examining the issues facing wealthy young white people. JoAnna Garcia, most recently seen (or unseen) in Welcome to the Captain, plays a liberal artsy type who decides to take a job as the live-in tutor for a pair of rich spoiled teenagers. Garcia is very likable, but the show sounds awfully been there, done that.

Hole in the Wall (Fox, 9:30 PM): This is a preview of the series that Fox has tapped to take on Survivor. Like most of the other recent Japanese imports, it sounds silly and simple: players have to contort themselves through person-shaped holes that are zooming towards them. Unless there's a twist, like the unsuccessful players landing in chewed bubble gum or something good like that, it's hard to see how this works.

The Shield (FX, 10 PM): If nothing else, this series is bringing the long-buried problem of Armenian gangsters to light. The candidates need to be asked about this in the debates. Vic tries to make himself useful to both sides in the brewing gang war, and ethnic tensions threaten to erupt after a killing in an apartment complex.

Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo, 11 PM): The latest Bravo reality show covers the tan-addicted celebrity stylist on her daily rounds, which likely don't include too many stops to eat. The big crisis in the premiere is finding a red carpet gown for Joy Bryant. Zoe seems to be in the mood to poke a little fun at herself, which is good as it will save me some effort. I only have so many mummy jokes at my disposal.

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