Erik Palladino and Aunjanue Ellis in Tuesday's episode of 'NCIS: Los Angeles.' Photo credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
“American Idol” enters a new phase Tuesday night. The Fox singing contest goes live at 8, which will be a test for the 10 female hopefuls. (The 10 men perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday). But the bigger test may be for the judges: How will Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey critique in the live forum? The public starts voting this week, and “Idol” rolls out the SuperVote online with help from AT& T. What does that mean? “Now with American Idol’s’ SuperVote, fans can cast 50 votes all at once.” Well, yippee.
“Raising Hope,” “New Girl” and “The Mindy Project” are preempted Tuesday, but Fox has announced that all three will be back next season. So, too, will “The Following” with Kevin Bacon.
In other highlights Tuesday:
One key to the enduring success of “NCIS” is Mark Harmon’s forthright Gibbs. Don’t you wish Gibbs were your friend? Gibbs’ barber is very lucky in the latest episode, at 8 on CBS. The barber is worried about his son being the prime suspect in a crime and turns to Gibbs for help.
Keep in mind that the ABC schedule has changed. “Celebrity Wife Swap,” at 8, features the wives of Coolio and Mark McGrath. “The Taste” has shifted to 9.
If past weeks are a guide, “NCIS: Los Angeles” should do extremely well in the ratings. The CBS drama, at 9, offers another incentive to tune in: Aunjanue Ellis is back as Sam’s wife. If you liked Ellis on “The Mentalist,” you know she’s a gifted performer.
The 10 p.m. time slot is packed with offerings. “Golden Boy” on CBS is worth a look for the teamwork of Chi McBride and Theo James. (The show shifts to 9 p.m. Fridays, starting this week.) ABC has had some ratings luck with “Body of Proof” with the always-welcome Dana Delany. “Smash” on NBC continues to have its fans but struggles in the ratings. “Justified,” on FX, is certainly worth a look after last week’s pivotal episode for Raylan (superb Timothy Olyphant).
And over on USA, “White Collar” offers its season finale. The plot: Neal (Matt Bomer) and Peter (Tim DeKay) are after an evidence box in the Empire State Building, but Sen. Pratt (Titus Welliver) is determined to thwart them. Why do I think Pratt is going to fall flat?
