TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Jericho," 7 p.m., CBS. Maybe "American Idol" made you miss this terrific episode Wednesday. If so, here's a second chance. "Jericho" is set in a small Kansas town, in the aftermath of nuclear blasts in big cities. This episode backs up and tells us what the key characters were doing in the days before the blast. If you're familiar with the show, you'll be fascinated by the stories behind Jake and Hawkins. If you're not, this could pull you in.

"Forrest Gump" (1994), 7 p.m., ABC. On the eve of the Academy Awards, ABC and several cable channels get us in the mood. "Gump" is a rarity — a movie that made a fortune and then won the Oscar for best picture. "Titanic" did the same thing three years later, but it's still rare. That success came to the deceptively intelligent tale of a simple guy (Tom Hanks) who keeps getting entangled in big events.

OF NOTE

"The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957, 8 a.m.), "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962, 11 a.m.) and "A Man For All Seasons" (1966, 3 p.m.); Turner Classic Movies. Here are towering best-picture Oscar winners. Each had an uplifting story about men of honor, then added strong visuals. They also shared British talent; David Lean directed "Kwai" and "Lawrence"; Robert Bolt wrote "Lawrence" and "Seasons."

"Taxi Driver" (1976), 5:30 p.m., AMC. Before Martin Scorsese gets his latest shot at an Oscar (for directing "The Departed"), here's a chance to revisit his early days. This film had lots of nominations — for best picture, plus Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster and the music score — but no wins.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 8 p.m., CBS. After winning $100,000, a high roller has a one-night stand who is found dead the next day.

"Independent Spirit Awards," 8 p.m., AMC. Here's one more hint of the Oscars: Sarah Silverman hosts a ceremony for movies not made by the big studios.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 9 p.m., NBC. Goren is called away from his family on Thanksgiving to help search for a female soldier who has disappeared on leave. Michael Biehn and Fran Drescher play her parents, a police commissioner and his wife.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Rainn Wilson — a clever guy who plays Dwight on "The Office" — hosts, with Arcade Fire as musical guest.