What2Watch: CSI Is Losing More Characters Than Bodies Lately

The venerable CSI -- I think it's been around long enough at this point to be deemed "venerable" -- ends its eighth season tonight (CBS, 9 PM) with a final showcase for Gary Dourdan as Warrick Brown, who we first met as a brilliant investigator with a troubled past and who now has an even more troubled present.

Warrick had a run-in last fall with a renowned Vegas gangster, and thus becomes the obvious suspect when the guy turns up dead. The evidence seems to point his way, and Warrick can't explain it away because he can't actually recall what he was doing at the time in question. Hopefully, we won't get any of the psychedelic effects utilized in the William Friedkin-directed "Warrick goes crazy" episode in the fall, but we do know that one way or another, it's the last episode for Dourdan, whose personal life has had some uncomfortable similarities to Warrick's lately. This series ought to be making some casting news in the next few weeks, because it's short a couple of live bodies to handle the dead ones.

Molotov Alva and His Search for the Creator: A Second Life Odyssey (Cinemax, 8 PM): Filmmaker Douglas Gayeton explores Second Life using the avatar of Molotov Alva. I'm not sure how far down the rabbit hole you can go in just half an hour.

My Name is Earl (NBC, 8 PM): The one-hour season finale finds trouble in paradise, as Billie complains about taking a back seat to the list. Earl is getting relationship advice from his friends, which doesn't sound especially helpful.

Smallville (CW, 8 PM): Many will regard this season finale as the true end of Smallville, what with Michael Rosenbaum's departure in the role of Lex. His Baldness gets a big sendoff tonight, as Brainiac, disguised as Kara, spirits him to the Fortress for an epic showdown with Clark. Viewers also get to see Chloe arrested by Homeland Security, which will be a welcome sight for those irritated by Allison Mack.

Ugly Betty (ABC, 8 PM): Today begins the final week of the official TV season, but this series won't wrap up until a week from now. Wilhelmina returns to the halls of Meade Publishing, Betty and Gio commit separately to be dance chaperones, and Gene Simmons tries to talk daughter Amanda into doing his latest reality show.

Engineering Connections (National Geographic, 9 PM and 10 PM): At 9, learning about the many and sometimes ancient innovations that led to the Airbus A380; at 10, moving a gas platform to the North Sea.

Gangland (History, 9 PM): All about the Mongol Nation, which I don't think has much to do with Genghis Khan.

Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 9 PM): Like Ugly Betty, this show has a week left to run yet. Tonight, the Chief wants Hahn to perform a risky surgery on his mentor, Cristina continues to react strangely to the news about Burke, and Dr. Wyatt feels Meredith shouldn't end therapy too soon -- to which millions of viewers will say an emphatic, "Amen!"

Supernatural (CW, 9 PM): The season finale finds Sam in the final hours of his effort to save the life of Dean. The Winchesters end up battling Lilith and all the forces she can muster. Will Dean live? Will Sam? Hey, I know Supernatural is on the fall schedule--but I'm sure that proves nothing.

The Office (NBC, 9 PM): I don't think many fans have been happy with the hour-long episodes of this show, but that's not stopping NBC from running one for the season finale, which finds Toby (Paul Lieberstein) getting a goodbye party and his replacement (Amy Ryan) being hazed.

Wedding SOS (Fine Living, 9 PM): Jane has to deal with a couple of lunatics who have invited over 1,000 guests to their wedding.

Crime 360 (A&E, 10 PM): Cleveland detectives find a body caught deep in a sewage drain. Maggots apparently play a big role in the investigative process, so even if you're a CSI fan, proceed with caution.

ER (NBC, 10 PM): County General puts a 14th year in the books as Gates considers his future with Sam; Moretti (Stanley Tucci) has news for Luka; and a patient (Steve Buscemi) generally freaks out.

House Hunters (HGTV, 10 PM): A young professional wants a home near the Las Vegas airport. Having lived within a few miles of an airport before, I can safely say this person is insane.

Lost (ABC, 10 PM): The season finale is listed as a three-hour marathon with the first hour coming tonight, and the final two hours on May 29. I hope we'll learn something about how exactly Locke and Ben are supposed to "move the island," but the main thrust of the finale is the battle between island folk and freighter folk. After watching Keamy in action, I don't know that it's smart to bet against the freighter.

Miami Ink (TLC, 10 PM): Here's something you don't want in a tattoo shop, or anywhere really: a weird odor is bothering the crew. Also, Yoji develops a hard-to-treat skin condition.

Sex: The Revolution (VH1, 10 PM): The final part of this miniseries deals with the 1980s and the backlash to the sexual revolution and its alleged side effects, such as the spread of pornography and rising divorce rates; and AIDS arrived to further kill the buzz. There have apparently been no new developments in sex since 1989. Boy, is that ever on the money.

Step It Up and Dance (Bravo, 10 PM): I forgot to mention this program last week, and while I'd like to say that oversight has nothing to do with finding it boring, I'm not sure I can honestly do that. The final six have a Latin-themed challenge tonight. To boost the ratings, they need to bring in the Dancing With the Stars guy to say, "Performing the paso doble!"

Tougher in Alaska (History, 10 PM): Salmon season brings a crowd of fishing vessels to Bristol Bay.

Without a Trace (CBS, 10 PM): A season finale, and a last hour with the CSI lead-in, as Sam is getting ready to pop. Also, the team (minus Sam) tries to figure out if anything connects several people abducted from a coffee shop at the same time.

Hidden Potential (HGTV, 10:30 PM): With kids on the way, a couple wants a new nursery, master bedroom, and kitchen.

Lil' Bush (Comedy Central, 10:30 PM): Season finale: Lil' Bush and the gang battle the Lil' Dems in a contest to come up with a new national anthem; the kids compete in the Olympics in an effort to keep America from being recalled by China.

Into America's West With Jeff Corwin (Travel, 11 PM): A journey to South Dakota to revisit icons of the past. I'd like to think he'll run into the ghost of Al Swearengen, still cussing away.

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