TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Lost," 8 p.m., ABC. Here's a flashback to the fascinating Hurley. As he frets about the effect the island is having on him, we look back at his time in a mental institution. Meanwhile, Locke learns more about the hatch. And he is not pleased.

"Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures," 8 p.m., PBS; concludes next week. The Northwest Hawaiian Island archipelago is a distant spot. Polynesians visited long ago, leaving some religious monuments. But in recent centuries, this area has been relatively untouched. Jean-Michael explores the area in the sort of mission his late father, Jacques Cousteau, would have done. Cousteau brings two ships filled with scientists and equipment to this ocean research preserve. This special spends too much time showing preparations. But it offers gorgeous views, underwater and above.

OF NOTE

"The George Lopez Show," 7 p.m., ABC. After a confrontation with his mother. George dreams of a normal life with a normal mom.

"Courting Alex," 7:30 p.m., CBS. What's the use in having a hunky boyfriend if you can't show him off at friends' weddings? Alex is all set to do that with Scott — then learns he has tickets to a baseball game.

"The Bedford Diaries," 8 p.m., WB. It's time to face consequences: Lee gets bad news from his girlfriend. The professor who had affairs with his students faces repercussions. And Owen faces complications after sex with his sister's roommate.

"American Idol," 8 p.m., Fox. Last Wednesday's episode reminded us that anyone is vulnerable. Katharine McPhee — talented, beautiful and likable — finished in the bottom two. She survived and the talented Lisa Tucker was ousted. Tonight, somebody else must go, trimming the field to eight.

"The Evidence," 9 p.m., ABC. After a man dies, his widow is startled to learn he had cancer.