TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. "Joey" has one of those cute, show-biz stories it's fond of: To impress a girlfriend, Joey agrees to direct a musical by her grandmother. Alas, it's being done at a senior center and he has no knack for directing.

OF NOTE

"Alias," 7 p.m., ABC. Last week, Syd was coaching Rachel on her first solo mission. Tonight, Syd is back to family issues: She probes the group that claims to have a cure for her half-sister Nadia.

"The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. Charlotte (Jeri Ryan) tries to hold together the scheme she has with Julie. Meanwhile, Taylor (Autumn Reeser) makes a move on Seth and Volchok (Cam Gigandet) tries to lure Ryan into a fight.

"Night Stalker," 8 p.m., ABC. Things only get more complicated for Kolchak. Tonight, he's chased by the FBI, which wants to arrest him for murder, and by bikers, who want to kill him. Meanwhile, he's talking to a woman who may be able to solve his mystery.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. Last week, a policeman was killed during a long chase with a gang. Grissom suspected that he was intentionally killed by fellow cops; tonight, he investigates the cops and the gang.

"Without a Trace," 9 p.m., CBS. In a change-of-pace, this story is told from the viewpoint of the parents of a missing boy.

"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. Neela thinks she's going on a simple ride-along with the handsome ambulance driver (John Stamos). Soon, they're at a horrendous crash site. Meanwhile, victims are rushed to the ER where Sam (Linda Cardellini) faces a big decision.