TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Friday Night Lights," 8 p.m., NBC. Tami Taylor's first days as high school principal were hectic. Given donations for a giant football scoreboard, she moved the money to education. Now the aftershocks begin. Fans are upset; her husband, the football coach, has mixed feelings. That's just one piece of a potent episode. Lyla, the rich girl, is still trying to smooth out the rough-edged Tim Riggins; Tyra, the not-rich girl, goes to extremes in her race for class president. And Coach Taylor keeps trying to push Smash Williams into a comeback and a college try-out. Those are good stories, but the best one involves Matt, the quiet quarterback who is caring for his grandmother as her mind crumbles. There are great moments, in an hour filled with rich portraits of small-town people.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Flashpoint," 8 p.m., CBS. Two crises tug at the unit. One involves a potential bomb inside an abandoned suitcase; the other has a retired cop burrowing into headquarters, gun in hand. The latter story is rough emotionally and has moments that strain credibility. Still, it's written and acted with spare intensity. That's typical of "Flashpoint," a Canadian show that packs quiet ferocity.

OF NOTE

"Dr. Strangelove" (1964, Turner Classic Movies), 3 p.m. Stanley Kubrick molded the dark satire of Strangelove," with Peter Sellers in multiple roles.

"A Few Good Men" (1992, FX), 6 p.m. Rob Reiner made "Men," boosted by a great military-trial play by Aaron Sorkin ("West Wing") and a dream cast led by Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. Melinda usually only has one or two ghosts to worry about. Now the town seems filled with walking dead.

"Everybody Hates Chris," 7 p.m., CW (Oceanic Digital Channel 93). Chris needs a fake ID to sneak into a concert.

"The Incredibles" (2004), 9 p.m., Disney. OK, not everyone wants to watch one an intense movies. Here's a popular Pixar animated film, a comedy-adventure about a family of superheroes.

"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. A psychic (John Glover) is brought in, after a gang feud leads to the kidnapping of an FBI agent.

"Miss America: Countdown to the Crown," 10 p.m., TLC. On the eve of the actual Miss America ceremony, we see the conclusion of this four-week reality show, with the 52 contestants living together. Tonight, they put on a talent show.