Something on Lost has happened so gradually that I didn't even think about it until last week: the show is becoming Ben's show. Handing the return episode last week over to him was an acknowledgment of how important Ben has become to Lost, and as we learn more about him, he's becoming more fascinating -- and even, for all the crap he's pulled, more human. Primary credit goes to Michael Emerson, but also credit the producers, who with a few exceptions (Nikki and Paolo), are excellent at picking up on what's working and what we want to see less of. I'll even forgive them for killing poor Alex in such a cruel way. A big part of island mythology died with her and her mother so I think there's a risk in eliminating them, but I'll trust the show knows what it's doing here too.

Tonight (ABC, 10 p.m.) what was once the Locke camp is no more and Ben and Locke go off looking for Jacob, while Sawyer leads the others (not the Others) back to the beach. The original beach crew is alarmed by Jack's deteriorating state. And since it's sweeps month now, that might just mean another high-profile death. We know people leave the island and then return, but sometimes I wonder if there's going to be anyone left to come back for.

Designed to Sell (HGTV, 8 p.m.): An empty nest couple wants to move to the mountains.

My Name is Earl (NBC, 8 p.m.): Now out of his coma, Earl goes in search of Billie; Joy and Darnell move into the Crab Shack.

Smallville (CW, 8 p.m.): Tom Welling directs this episode, in which a self-pitying Clark gets a vision of what things would be like had he never come to Earth. Try Lex as President of the United States. All this could come to pass if Brainiac kills the baby Kal-El.

Survivor: Micronesia (CBS, 8 p.m.): Remember what I said last week about looking forward to seeing Natalie's personality? I guess I need to be careful what I wish for. Tonight is the "visit from loved ones" episode, which has never failed to tug at my heartstrings, unless you count the first 15 seasons. Also, James's infection appears to be getting worse, and a power player runs into sudden trouble.

Ugly Betty (ABC, 8 p.m.): I'm sure when the producers booked Christian Siriano for this episode, they could have had no idea he'd be this overexposed by now. Let me guess: he'll say "fierce" a lot. Also tonight, Renee comes to believe Betty is a romantic rival, and Hilda is taunted by an old rival who has married up.

Scrubs (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): Cox deals with his new responsibilities; J.D. and Eliot contemplate what has changed between them; Turk and Carla discuss a possible baby #2. C'mon, Turk is just barely coping with one kid.

American Chopper (TLC, 9 p.m.): Building a bike for the Manitowoc Crane Group; Mikey gives a talk to a class of second graders.

Break It Down (National Geographic, 9 p.m.): Taking apart a 747 for the purposes of recycling. The whole concept of a recycled plane makes me hinky.

Carrier (PBS, 9 p.m.): The miniseries ends with the trip home to San Diego, as crew members are instructed on what to expect. This was a fine effort, a rare look at the real lives of men and women in uniform that didn't fall into Top Gun cliches.

CSI (CBS, 9 p.m.): The team suspects a connection when bodies begin turning up bleeding green blood. Reason #621 why diets will kill you.

Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 9 p.m.): Kate Walsh, with nothing to do right now on her new show, comes back to her original show as there's a surgical procedure only Addison can do. Also, Meredith and Derek work together on their clinical trial, and Rebecca tells Karev the one thing non-safe-sex-having men really dread hearing.

Supernatural (CW, 9 p.m.): Dean gets a phone call from his dad -- or so it appears -- telling him he knows how to get out of the deal that would cost Sam his life, but Sam isn't as excited as one might think.

The Office (NBC, 9 p.m.): Stanley has never really bothered to disguise his contempt for Michael, but tonight Michael decides to teach him a lesson. Also, Pam regrets spending the night at Jim's, and Dwight prepares to buy Andy's car.

30 Rock (NBC, 9:30 p.m.): Liz's ex needs a place to crash for the night; Jack draws ominous conclusions when his office gets moved.

Ace of Cakes (Food Network, 10 p.m.): Wedding season is well under way, and Duff & Co. have numerous cakes to commemorate it, including a Baltimore skyline cake and a hockey-themed cake complete with Zamboni.

ER (NBC, 10 p.m.): Neela finds out that she's treating criminals; Pratt decides to fight for Bettina; Abby worries that things are over with her and Luka (yes, that does happen tonight -- I'm not confusing it with any of 20 other ER episodes in recent years).

I Know My Kid's a Star (VH1, 10 p.m.): Danny conducts radio interviews with the parents and asks them to coach their kids in preparation for their own interviews; the kids audition to host a television show.

Miami Ink (TLC, 10 p.m.): Darren deals with impending marriage and fatherhood; Dre has a certification to get through.

Rock the Cradle (MTV, 10 p.m.): Chloe Lattanzi is the breakout star of 2008! How did someone as wholesome as Olivia Newton-John ever have anything to do genetically with someone this bizarre?

Step It Up and Dance (Bravo, 10 p.m.): Jason Alexander is the guest judge as those remaining are asked to do some acting, as well as learning steps from Damn Yankees.

Without a Trace (CBS, 10 p.m.): A lottery winner disappears after a camping trip; Jack finds out something disturbing about Brian's past.

Lil' Bush (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): Good parents always worry about the crowd their kids are hanging with, so imagine the concern when Lil' George is invited to a party by Lil' Bill Clinton.

Recommend (0)

|  Comments (0)

|  Email

|  Share

Share  Facebook Digg del.icio.us