‘American Idol’ looks at talent in Dallas

Tonight’s must-see

“American Idol,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. It’s the second night of auditions and now Dallas has its turn.

Yes, that’s promising. The South has always given “Idol” its best results; besides, Texas offers the promise of country singers, maybe someone else in the Carrie-Kellie-Bucky mold. We’ll see.

Tonight’s must-see II

“The Jewish Americans,” 8-10 p.m., KSPS, 9-11 p.m.KUID.

In the 20th century, Jews began to make a steep impact on their new country. This episode, the midsection of a three-week series, catches the extremes.

Other choices include

“Pioneers of Television: Variety,” 7 p.m. KSPS, 8 p.m. KUID. This documentary reminds us of the days when variety ruled – from the big-tent approach of Ed Sullivan to the comedy emphasis of Sid Caesar, Carol Burnett and the Smothers Brothers.

“Crowned,” 8 p.m., CW. The mother-daughter beauty contestants divert briefly to help Habitat for Humanity.

“Comanche Moon,” 9-11 p.m., CBS. Here’s the final piece of this three-part story – the last of four Larry McMurtry tales about two Texas Rangers. Gus McCrae has a reunion with Clara, the sweet soul he lost; Woodrow is losing contact with Maggie and their son. As these stories continue, a Comanche leader plans a counter-attack. The result is an adequate conclusion to a story that had (in “Lonesome Dove”) moments of brilliance.

“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” 9 p.m., NBC. When an obstetrician is killed, police assume it’s work-related. Then family secrets emerge.

“Law & Order,” 10 p.m., NBC. Killing someone over a pair of pants? That seems to happen in this so-so episode. Several forces want to retrieve the same pair; now the dry-cleaning company’s lawyer has been killed. Complications grow.

“Cashmere Mafia,” 10 p.m., ABC. After years of failed relationships with guys, Caitlin (Bonnie Somerville) is suddenly drawn to a beautiful lesbian (played by Lourdes Benedicto). She’s also been kind of public about it.