TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" debut, 9 p.m., NBC. In the first blistering minutes, a character talks about low-quality TV. He rants and rages; he's angry, bitter ... and mostly right. Then the rest of the hour reminds us that there are exceptions. Television is capable of greatness. Writer Aaron Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme do what they did with "The West Wing" and "Sports Night." They fill an arena with smart characters, then let them collide. This time the setting is a late-night TV show, but the real story is about people under pressure. Sorkin wrote an amazing script, filled with twists and turns. It was executed perfectly by Schlamme and a great cast, led by Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet and Timothy Busfield.

"The Class" debut, 7 p.m., CBS. David Crane ("Friends") and Jeffrey Klarik wrote a great script about mismatched souls who happened to go to 3rd grade together. Jason Ritter (John's son) is ideal as the central character, but the best moments are in support. Heather Goldenhersh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Lizzy Caplan are wondrous as Lina, Richie and Kat.

OF NOTE

"Deal or No Deal," 7 p.m., NBC. Desperate to have its new season start well, NBC has this show sprawl over four nights of opening week. The escalating top prize could hit $6 million.

"Wife Swap" season-opener, 7 and 8 p.m., ABC. Both hours involve exchanging households between one mom who is ultra-organized and one who allows clutter.

"Prison Break," 7 p.m., Fox. Michael and Linc are headed to Utah now, in search of the buried millions. The bad news is that T-Bag and Tweener are going there, too ... and Mahone, the relentless federal official, has a key clue.

"How I Met Your Mother," 7:30 p.m., CBS. Last season ended with Lily breaking off her engagement with Marshall. It felt false, but it does set up some fine moments tonight. Robin and Ted are now deeply in love and lust, while Marshall wallows in misery.

"Two and a Half Men," 8 p.m., CBS. Last season ended with a double twist: Charlie and Mia broke up moments before they would have married; instead, Alan married young and ditzy Kandi. Tonight, Charlie is feeling down until Alan needs his help.

"The New Adventures of Old Christine," 8:30 p.m., CBS. Christine and her ex-husband are together so much that their son figures they might remarry.

"Great Performances: Vienna State Opera's 50th Anniversary Reopening Concert," 9 p.m., PBS. When the Vienna opera house was bombed during World War II, it seemed finished. Instead, it re-opened in 1955; this concert — with Placido Domingo, Zubin Mehta and more — performs many of the arias sung then. This beautifully crafted special leaps between documentary footage and modern performances.

"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. Horatio is on the trail of the man who killed Marisol — and is worried about his brother's possible role.