TiVo Guide Week of January 12, 2009 *spoiler alert*

"The Backyardigans" Pablo and Uniqua get hired as ranch hands, and a miscommunication leads them to believe they will earn fuel for their spaceship as payment for their hard labor. Music genre: Italian pop from the '60s. Monday at 9 on Nickelodeon.

"One Tree Hill" Peyton's friends learn about her condition, and she and Lucas babysit Jamie and his pal so Haley and Nathan can have a night out. Elsewhere, Mouth and Millicent are on the verge of breaking up, and Brooke tries to uncover Julian's true intentions. Chad Michael Murray directed the episode. Monday at 9 on The CW.

"Kyle XY" In the third-season premiere, Kyle goes looking for Amanda, who's been kidnapped. Elsewhere, Lori, Declan, Josh and Andy deal with the choices they made at the prom. Monday at 9 on ABC Family.

"American Idol" Season 8 kicks off with new judge Kara DioGuardi and returning arbiters Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson rating (and likely berating) a fresh pool of aspiring crooners. Ryan Seacrest hosts. Tuesday at 8 on Fox.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" After a teenage girl is found dead, Benson goes undercover as a madam to catch a sex trafficker. Then detectives learn the girl was a child prodigy, not a prostitute, and the investigation leads them to her gambling-addict father. Tuesday at 10 on NBC.

"Real Housewives of Orange County" Vicki blows into the Windy City to visit her family, but gale-force dramas swirl around her relationship with her mother. Elsewhere, Lynne and her husband whine about missing wine. Then there's Gretchen, who reaches a breaking point while caring for her ailing fiancé. And Tamra hires a top chef to create dinner, which comes complete with tequila tasting. Tuesday at 10 on Bravo.

"Lost" In the fourth-season finale, the survivors of Flight 815 square off against the freighter people, and Locke learns more about the island's powers while in the Orchid. In flash-forwards, the Oceanic 6 return to the U.S. David Reyes: Cheech Marin. Margo Shephard: Veronica Hamel. Karen Decker: Michelle Forbes. Walt: Malcolm David Kelley. Wednesday at 8 on ABC.

"Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America" Billy Crystal hosts a history of American comedy, which explores the funny business via performances, profiles and interviews. It begins with a look at comedic outsiders and spans comics from Harold Lloyd to Steve Martin and also includes such icons as Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Andy Kaufman. Then, the domestic comedy concept is examined. Shows include "The Goldbergs," "I Love Lucy," "The Honeymooners," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "All in the Family," "The Cosby Show," "Roseanne" and "Seinfeld." Wednesday at 8 on PBS.

"Top Chef: New York" The backdrop switches from urban to rural when the chefs journey to the country to gather fresh ingredients. They then serve up a food-fare feast to farm workers. Chef Dan Barber is the guest judge. Wednesday at 10 on Bravo.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Grissom announces he is leaving CSI and it stuns his staff, but a murder that may be linked to an infamous serial killer commands everyone's attention. The latest victim's body is found dismembered in a trash bag along a creek. Evidence suggests the murder is connected to the so-called Dick and Jane Killer, who is now in jail. Grissom then attends a class taught by criminal pathologist Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne), hoping to gain insight into the case. Thursday at 8:15 on CBS.

"Grey's Anatomy" Derek's mother, Carolyn (Tyne Daly), meets Meredith for the first time during a surprise visit to Seattle, and Mark tries to conceal his relationship with Lexie. Meanwhile, death-row inmate William (Eric Stoltz) wants to donate his organs to Bailey and Arizona's patient; and Owen and Cristina attempt to go on a first date. Arizona: Jessica Capshaw. Denny: Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Melinda: Samantha Mathis. Thursday at 9 on ABC.

"Soundstage" Tony Award-winning actress-singer Idina Menzel ("Wicked," "Rent") performs selections from her 2008 album "I Stand," duets with Josh Groban on his hit "Awake" and is also joined by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Included: "Better to Have Loved"; "Brave"; "Gorgeous"; "My Own Worst Enemy"; "Perfume and Promises." Thursday at 10 on PBS.

"The Game" Jason gets jealous when he sees Kelly with a date; Tasha faces her insecurities in her relationship with Rick Fox; Melanie searches for ways to connect with Derwin that don't involve physical intimacy. Friday at 8:30 on The CW.

"Battlestar Galactica" Sometimes a Great Notion Friday at 10 on Sci Fi.

"Psych" Lassiter is accused of murder, so Shawn and Gus set out to prove he's innocent. Friday at 10 on USA.

"Crusoe" Three warriors hunt Crusoe after stealing a lock of his hair. Friday tries to protect his friend but is soon overwhelmed with the task. Saturday at 8 on NBC.

"iCarly" A car-giveaway contest on the Web show turns into a problem when the dealership supplying the vehicle expresses no knowledge of the contest. Carly asks Spencer for help, but he's focused on a new movie prop he purchased. Saturday at 8 on Nickelodeon.

"Solitary" Contestants undergo mental and physical challenges as they compete only with themselves in isolation from their competitors. The eight-week competitions begin with nine contestants, each of whom makes the decision to quit or continue. Saturday at 9 on Fox Reality.

"Desperate Housewives" When neighborhood handyman Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges) dies, the housewives realize just how much he affected their lives. Gaby recalls how Eli helped her make friends when she arrived; Lynette remembers how he came to her aid when she was overwhelmed and neglecting Penny; Susan reflects on how he lent her his shoulder to cry on each time a man walked out on her; Edie looks back on their special friendship; and Bree thinks fondly of his small gesture that had a big effect. Sunday at 9 on ABC.

"Big Love" In the third-season premiere, Bill petitions a Native American businessman (Robert Beltran) to become a partner in his casino and bristles at the alleged reason for the family's exclusion from an upcoming block party. Meanwhile, Barb embraces the notion of adding Ana to the fold; Nicki does some sleuthing for Adaleen; and Alby's secret life gets him into trouble. Sunday at 9 on HBO.

"The L Word" In the sixth-season opener, a member of the group of lady friends is murdered, and a number of them are considered suspects. Sunday at 9 on Showtime.