TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Starter Wife" series debut, 9 p.m., USA Network. When we last saw Molly (Debra Messing) in a miniseries, she was adjusting to being a Hollywood ex-wife. Now comes a new twist: Her ex-husband (re-cast with David Alan Basche) has all their money tied up in a shaky movie. She tries to revive her writing career, via a teacher (Hart Bochner). She grumbles to her friend (Judy Davis), a recovering alcoholic. All of this is more fun than it sounds. "Starter Wife" has a bright look, a breezy style and a witty view of human quirks. There are false notes near the end (after a theft), but this is a fine comedy-drama ride.

OF NOTE

"The Princess Bride" (1987), 5 p.m., AMC. Rob Reiner directed this deftly, creating a fun fairy tale for grown-ups. He assembled a great (and odd) supporting cast, including Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, Christopher Guest, Peter Falk and Fred Savage.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. Melinda discovers some dark secrets about her high school classmates.

"Sanctuary," 7 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. After last week's fairly good opener, we have the show's key players — a forensics psychiatrist, a wise (and well-preserved) 157-year-old and her daughter, who doesn't know her biological dad may have been Jack the Ripper. Tonight, they go to Scotland to free three women from a crypt.

"The Ex List," 8 p.m., CBS. Bella meets a former boyfriend who used to be pleasantly lazy. Now he's a fitness buff; it's tiring to know him.

"Life," 9 p.m., NBC. After a couple of Monday shots, this above-average show settles into Fridays. Tonight, a college prison experiment brings a death. Crews, who spent 11 years in real prison, investigates.

"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. Don investigates kidnappings at ATMs. Also, Keith Carradine plays someone who could restore Charlie's FBI credentials.