TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Rules of Engagement," 8:30 p.m., CBS. Adam (Oliver Hudson) has just proposed to Jennifer (Bianca Kajlich). She's bright and beautiful; he's delighted. Or he would be if it weren't that the neighbor Jeff (Patrick Warburton) is about to lecture him on marriage. Jeff's views are cynical. So are those of his wife Audrey (Megyn Price). Still, both are optimists compared to their friend Russell (David Spade). "Rules of Engagement" is the sort of comedy that only works on CBS. It has fairly sharp dialog, delivered by attractive people before a studio audience. This is the episode that started the show's successful, seven-week trial run. Now those shows will rerun, leading into the show's regular spot this fall.

"My Boys" season opener, 7 and 7:30 p.m., TBS. This amiable show exists on a sort of middle ground. It is sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic, always interesting. Viewers instantly like PJ (Jordana Spiro) and her casual, Chicago life. She has a great job (a sportswriter covering the Cubs) and pleasantly low-key friends. This season, she also has a problem: She and one of her friends kissed. Now he seems sort of distant. Her brother (played by brilliant standup comedian Jim Gaffigan) has a bigger problem: He bought a house in the suburbs and spends much of his life in the car. In the second episode, PJ gets a chance to be on a sports-talk TV show. Even someone who is cute and zesty can stumble.

OF NOTE

"Speed" (1994), 5 p.m., FX. Sure, the basic notion — a bus will blow up if it goes slower than 50 miles an hour — is kind of odd. But director Jan De Bont turned it into a zesty, exciting film. He also cast two relative newcomers; Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock brought an appealing humanity to a show about moving metal.

"Heartland," 5 p.m., TNT. A hostage situation leads to a potential organ donor in this new episode.

"The Closer," 6 p.m., TNT. Two killings lead to the possibility of racial war between two gangs.

"Deadly Stripes: Tiger Sharks," 6 p.m., Discovery Channel. By most thinking, the tiger shark is a solitary predator. Almost 20 feet long and weighing more than 1,300 pounds, it moves alone and eats what it wants. Still, these sharks gather en masse each year off the South African coast, then disappear again. Mark Addison, a shark expert, swims among them in an effort to tag them and learn about this habit.

"Saving Grace," 7 p.m., TNT. In last week's opener, we met Grace (Holly Hunter), a smart police detective with a troubled soul. Loved ones died in the Oklahoma City bombing. Now Grace drinks too much and has sex with a married colleague. She also has just met a likable ragged angel named Earl. Tonight, Grace investigates the murder of an oil man; she also challenges Earl to a wrestling match.

"How I Met Your Mother," 7 p.m., CBS. Marshall and Lilly are back together in this rerun. They want to marry in Atlantic City with their friends along.

"The New Adventures of Old Christine," 7:30 p.m., CBS. In a rerun, Christine gets grief from her ex-husband because she's not interested in an election.

"Two and a Half Men," 8 p.m., CBS. Here's more Christmas in July. Charlie is plans a lustful Christmas Eve in this rerun. Others — including his mother — keep stopping in.

"Six Degrees of Martina McBride" debut, 8 p.m., ABC. Would-be singers face an offbeat challenge: If they can meet country star Martina McBride within six contacts, they can audition for a record deal.

"Age of Love," 8 p.m., NBC. In last week's show, which reruns at 8 p.m., Mark took the remaining women camping. Tonight, he's surprised when their families arrive and ask him questions.