The early episodes of So You Think You Can Dance have reminded us of the little differences between it and corporate cousin American Idol. Deluded or deliberately jokey auditioners aren't unheard of, but they're not the point either. And the show has an ongoing relationship with a good many contestants who audition every year, getting a bit closer until they finally break through. One difference that seems starker than ever after the just-concluded Idol season: the SYTYCD judges appear to realize that it's not all about them. Even Mary Murphy has toned it down (knock on wood).

The final twenty compete for the first time on Wednesday (Fox, 8 p.m.), and while my ignorance of dance usually makes my predictions for this series even worse than they are for Idol, it's irresistible to give it a try. One assumes that the show might favor a woman after a male champion last season, and Kayla has the young, moldable talent that the producers should go crazy for. On the male side, Evan could benefit from having a memorable entrance into the final round, but Jason looks like a keeper too. Please, don't go to Vegas based on anything I've just written here.

Also this week:

Monday: Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo, 10 p.m.): A fifth season of keeping up the pretense of not being all that famous kicks off with Kathy heading to Vegas, where Bette Midler offers to put the rhythm-challenged comedian in her stage show. Also, Kathy is willing to go to shady lengths to secure a Grammy for her comedy album.

Tuesday: Mental (Fox, 9 p.m.): This summer series about an eccentric psychiatrist seems just right for Fox, and will receive new attention this week, assuming the originally scheduled episode actually does air. David Carradine plays a famous philosopher (is there such a thing?) who becomes catatonic after he and his wife (who does not survive) are struck by lightning. Fox plans a tribute to Carradine at the end of the episode, which totally makes it OK.

Thursday: 16 & Pregnant (MTV, 10 p.m.): This limited-run series will follow one girl a week, as she attemps to deal with pregnancy on top of all the other normal challenges of teenage life. MTV has always been accused of glamorizing sexuality, and that's likely to happen here too, but there are important stories to be told.

Friday: Masters of Reception (TLC, 10 p.m.): As someone who spent a good portion of his youth catering wedding receptions, I give credit to anyone clever enough to make the work seem interesting to a television audience. This series follows two New Jersey brothers who run a catering company. The premiere covers two of the characteristic problems of the profession: irrational bridal demands and the threat of bad weather.

Saturday: Pushing Daisies (ABC, 10 p.m.): The charming series about a piemaker who has the ability to briefly wake the dead will die itself after this episode. Hey, if you don't like it, you should have watched. Ned and Chuck will team up one more time to solve the murder of a retired synchronized swimmer.

Sunday: Hammertime (A&E, 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.): I'm trying to imagine the pitch for this show. "Say, anyone know of any washed up old celebs who haven't yet been followed by a reality show?" "Well...there's always MC Hammer." "Hammer! Perfect!" The premiere finds the man also known as Stanley Burrell visiting his son's school, where he tries to convince the disbelieving young'uns that yes, he really did wear those pants once upon a time, and stop your laughing.

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