TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"I Shouldn't Be Alive" debut, 6, 10 p.m., Discovery Channel. The idea sounded like a romp: Some young people would deliver a luxury yacht from Maine to Florida. Then it all went wrong. The boat capsized. On a flimsy raft, they drifted. That's a true story, told in the 1997 Melissa Joan Hart TV movie "Two Came Back." This approach is more powerful. It jumps between vivid recreations and comments of the survivors. Tonight launches what could be the best cable series idea in years. Here are stories that throw ordinary people into nightmarish situations. Some think quickly and survive. Some crumble. Watching them is intense, painful and fascinating.

OF NOTE

"The Bernie Mac Show," 7 p.m., Fox. When Bernie's nephew turns 13, he figures he's ready for grown-up pleasures, including a super-scary film. That leads to some funny moments.

"Masters of Horror" debut: "Incident On and Off a Mountain Road," 7 p.m., Showtime. This seemed like a great idea — an anthology of one-hour mini-movies by talented horror-film directors. Alas, the opener goes wretchedly wrong. It has stylish work from director-writer Don Coscarelli ("Phantasm") and a great performance by Bree Turner. Still, it's repulsive enough to drive away even fear fans. Most draw the line somewhere short of eyeball-piercing.

"Malcolm in the Middle," 7:30 p.m., Fox. Just before Halloween, Malcolm learns something astonishing about the family home. That leads to some hilarious sight gags.

"Three Wishes," 8 p.m., NBC. Tonight's episode focuses on a Marine unit returning from Iraq. The show ends up giving away three houses and helping with a wedding.

"Hope & Faith," 8 p.m., ABC. When she's snubbed for a fancy Halloween party, Hope tries to create her own. She might have trouble getting even her sister to attend.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 9 p.m., NBC. In this rerun, an angry radio personality has died.