Last TV discussion for a while, I promise.

So my review of the new TV shows I've checked out continues, along with my assessment of shows I've enjoyed in previous seasons--who's on notice, who's no longer worth watching, and who's still going strong.

Thursday nights are the traditional night for networks to bring out their best; it has the highest number of viewers, so Survivor and American Idol are here when the networks need them. It also has fewer new shows as the established heavyweight shows dominate the night these days. There's little here that's truly fresh and exciting.

CBS still puts CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in the middle of their lineup and the show has found a nice, solid groove. It no longer fascinates like it once did, hard to do when there are two spin-offs doing the same basic formula, but William Peterson is still worth watching. The cast probably needs to find better ways to keep fresh than insisting one member be the victim of a ghastly near-murder every season. Maybe find inner details for their characters? ABC, bless them, keeps Ugly Betty in place. It's still marred by the worst music ever foisted on a TV show, but this is a brilliant comedy anchored by America Ferrara's hilarious work. She touches with her awkward pathos in a way that Desperate Housewives' Teri Hatcher can't begin to touch. The show is magical, somehow combining a cartoonish approach to life at Betty's work with real feeling between characters who are as far from realism as, well, a fashion magazine cover. ABC has also put Big Shots on Thursday night. Hold your nose if you surf past this one; it features four awkward performances from the leads as successful men struggling with whatever scriptwriters think seems glamorous, funny and slightly contemptuous of the wealthy.

My Name Is Earl has tried to take the same route as House, shaking things up with some major changes. The basic cast is still the same, thank heavens, but Earl is trying to be that better person I so admire--in jail! It's working much better than House does, thanks to the continuity of the personnel. The real surprise to me is that the creative team behind the program shows no sign of contriving a way for Earl to get released before his two years are completed behind bars. I remain convinced he'll get out this season, but I don't feel any urgency while the stories and characters remain so strong. NBC also keeps Scrubs on Thursdays for its last season. Its gentle decline grows ever-less absurd, but remains sweet and mildy amusing. ER is still a surprise to me. How is this show still going? Why do we still care about these people? None of the actors remain from the first few seasons, and George Clooney's bright light of a performance is long-forgotten. Yet I keep watching, fascinated that the juggernaut rolls on. When will it end?

Friday is still a bit of a TV ghetto for unloved shows (unloved by the networks, if not the viewers). Las Vegas is preceded by Friday Night Lights, still the prettiest cast on prime time, in my estimation. The stories are contrived, but the cast maintains an effective, unified style of performance that really works. Pay close attention and note the utter realism in their readings. The plots are only one step from Desperate Housewives-bizarre (you need more murders to get to that level) and it's a miracle that people this good-looking can overcome these scripts. Las Vegas? Think Love Boat with racier wardrobes and "darker" personalities and backstories for the staff/crew. I miss Nikki Cox's cleavage, but this may be the only show that outdoes CSI: Miami for underdressed, spectacular extras in many scenes. NBC banished the original Law & Order to this night (now missing entirely), demanded a lower price from the producer (and got it) and generally treats the show like kryptonite. And it cruises along, serenely following the same formula from its glory days on Wednesday nights. It's awesome how it just keeps going--and it's still not too bad. Come back!

CBS brings you Moonlight on Fridays. Yes, a vampire detective! I actually took a while to decide on this one before banishing it from the TiVo. It almost works, this secret life of his. ABC's new Friday show, Women's Murder Club was easier to call. the stories and characters are all so... ordinary. Except they're chicks! And they have Kaffeeklatsches now and then! Geez.

Maybe someday, the networks will bring Saturday night back to life, but it's all reruns and college football spillovers now. I'll let you know if they ever do something about it.

CDs listened to today:

• Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Symphony No. 2, "Cello"
• Malcolm Forsyth: Quintette for Winds (or…)
• Javanese Court Gamelan: (eponymous)
• Samba Mapalanga: Ujumbe
• Meyer Kupferman: Concerto for Cello, Tape, and Orchestra, disk 1
• MJ Cole: Sincere
• Alban Berg: Lulu-Suite
• Phantom Planet: The Guest
• My Morning Jacket: Z