TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Rescue Me" season opener, 7 p.m., FX. This series has had such powerful moments that we might forget its roots: It was created by two gifted comedy people, Denis Leary and Peter Tolan. That will be clear tonight, with some funny moments. Yes, the basics are still somber. Tommy (Leary) is a firefighter, accused of arson; one fire emergency, late in the hour, is jolting and enthralling. Still, there's terrific humor here. Sean tries to dump his wife's porn collection. The interim captain (Tolan) tries to be a buddy. The baby rejects its mom and insists on its maybe-father Tommy.

"Last Comic Standing" season opener, 8 p.m., NBC. In the past, this stand-up show has delivered big laughs. Now Bill Bellamy takes over as host. Instead of using "Tonight Show" scouts, the show sends three terrific comics — Alonzo Bodden, ANT and Kathleen Madigan — to auditions.

OF NOTE

"The Fever," 6:30 p.m., HBO. A prosperous woman (Vanessa Redgrave) lapses into a fever in a battered country, imagining haunting scenes. Wallace Shawn wrote this as a play, then adapted it with director Carlo Nero, who filmed in Croatia. Early scenes are gripping, especially with Angelina Jolie. Later, the film makes strong points — then keeps repeating them. It would be too much, if not for the superb work of Redgrave and Nero.

"So You Think You Can Dance," 7 p.m., Fox. Sifting through some dazzling talents, the judges chose 20 dancers. Now the viewers take over.

"Top Chef 3" debut, 7 p.m., Bravo. This year's contestants include a Puerto Rican native and a Californian who stands 6-feet-8 and formerly played volleyball. They stay at a lush Miami Beach hotel and cook in the former Versace mansion. This fairly interesting opener has them twice working quickly, with random ingredients.

"Lil' Bush," 7:30 p.m., Comedy Central. This sounded promising — animated kids, including Lil' George and Lil' Condi. Alas, the writing is heavy-handed. It's only moderately funny the first time Lil' Cheney rips off a bird's head and sucks its blood; when he does the same thing again and again, the humor fades.

"Traveler," 9 p.m., ABC. Jay and Tyler try the supposed hometown of the "friend" who set them up.