TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior," 8 p.m., Disney Channel. The Disney people have a knack for creating their own downscaled stars. Now they've crafted a vehicle for Brenda Song. Song is 18, of Thai and Hmong background. She's been acting since she was 6; in recent years, she went from the Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future" (as Tia) to "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" (as London Tipton, spoiled daughter of the hotel owner). She also has a black belt in tae kwon do. That would seem to make her ideal for this role. She plays a teen whose sole goal is to become homecoming queen. Then she learns she's a reincarnated Chinese warrior, with the additional responsibility of saving the world. We haven't seen it yet, but the film seems promising.

OF NOTE

"Waiting to Exhale," 5:30 p.m., Oxygen. Terry McMillan's saucy story of bad men and strong women was beautifully handled by director Forest Whitaker with a superb soundtrack, supervised by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett co-star.

"24," 7 p.m., Fox. The just-completed season's story — wildly implausible, yet compelling — returns for reruns. Things open with a startling assassination and with Jack Bauer being framed for murder.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. A 6-year-old boy doesn't understand his death. Melinda is hoping his mom can persuade him to cross over.

"Close to Home," 8 p.m., CBS. When a murder confession is thrown out Annabeth must start rebuilding the case.

"Hope & Faith," 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. In the first rerun, Faith hasn't been putting any effort into her job interviews. Her sister and brother-in-law send her to a therapist, but she's soon claiming the therapist wants them to coddle her. In the second episode, the therapist wants Faith to find an interest. She goes to a poetry slam, and causes more family trouble.

"Windfall," 8 p.m., NBC. Here's a rerun of the new episode that ran at 9 p.m. Thursday. Newly rich — with almost $20 million apiece — the lottery winners adjust. Beth plans a Paris shopping spree with Nina — who has had romantic overtures from Beth's husband.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Dean Cain plays a suspected serial rapist. When his fragile new wife goes into a coma he has control of her life.

"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. An undercover agent has been shot. Was his cover blown, or did this happen because of something else?

TONIGHT ON KHNL NEWS 8

Get the latest news at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. from Howard Dashefsky and Jodi Leong, plus up-to-the-minute weather from Sharie Shima.