Critic's corner
A lot has been said about the gore on ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." It's easy to forget that the series also contains some wonderful black comedy. So it's fitting that Quentin Tarantino, a master of both, is directing tonight's ''CSI" season finale. The two-hour episode's ''Vanishing"-like plot finds a member of the team buried alive, at 8 on Channel 4.
Noah Wyle leaves ''ER" tonight, as the show concludes its 11th season. One of the more underrated original actors on ''ER," Wyle has effectively shown his Dr. Carter evolve from a cocky young wannabe into a more dimensional hero. Here's hoping he finds worthy material in the future, at 9:59 on Channel 7.
On tonight's season finale of ''Without a Trace," Vivian undergoes heart surgery. Pray the writers don't kill off one of the show's best characters, at 10 on Channel 4.
MATTHEW GILBERT
''The Early Show" at 7 a.m. on Channels 4 and 12. Boating safety; chef Bobby Flay. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Good Morning America" at 7 a.m. on Channels 5, 6, and 9. The Muppets; ''All My Children" wedding; Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast. (Closed-captioned)
''Today" at 7 a.m. on Channels 7 and 10; 10 a.m. on Channel 7. Actor Noah Wyle; the cast of ''The Apprentice" reunites; author Jason Alexander; actress Juliet Mills; summer footwear. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''News" at 7 a.m. on WPIX. Actor Andy Richter; actor Tyler Christopher. (Closed-captioned)
''Life Today" at 8:30 a.m. on Channel 68. With James Robison. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Larry Elder Show" at 9 a.m. on Channel 4; 1:35 a.m. on Channel 6. Larry talks to engaged couples who are questioning their decision to marry. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Jane Pauley Show" at 9 a.m. on Channels 5 and 9; 11 a.m. on Channel 10. Video-game compulsion. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Live With Regis and Kelly" at 9 a.m. on Channel 7; 10 a.m. on Channel 10. Entrepreneur Donald Trump; actor James Denton (''Desperate Housewives"); puppet Miss Piggy (''The Muppets' Wizard of Oz"). In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Jerry Springer" at 9 a.m. on Channel 56. A woman wants to win back her ex-boyfriend; a transsexual thinks she can have any man she wants; a woman is in love with a 19-year-old man. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Tony Danza Show" at 10 a.m. on Channel 6; 1:05 a.m. on Channel 5. Actress Nicollette Sheridan (''Desperate Housewives"); actor Scott Wolf; financial adviser Suze Orman; Tony hitches a ride with New York garbage men for Sanitation Day.
''Montel Williams" at 10 a.m. on Channel 12; 3 p.m. on Channel 25. Teens with compulsions for gambling. (Closed-captioned)
''Maury" at 10 a.m. on Channel 56 and WPIX. Parents seek help with their reckless teen girls. (Closed-captioned)
''The View" at 11 a.m. on Channels 5, 6, and 9. Actor Noah Wyle; producer Mark Burnett; celebrity Merv Griffin. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Ellen DeGeneres Show" at 11 a.m. on Channel 7; 3 p.m. on Channel 10; 4 p.m. on Channel 50. Actor Ray Romano (''Everybody Loves Raymond"); actor James Denton (''Desperate Housewives"); 5-year-old anatomy enthusiast. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Jerry Springer" at 11 a.m. on Channel 56 and WPIX. A woman gets pregnant from a one-night stand; a man leaves his gay lover for a transsexual; a woman leaves her boyfriend for his boss. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Pat Croce: Moving In" at noon on Channel 38; 2 p.m. on Channel 50. A married couple struggles to agree on family finances. (Closed-captioned)
''Charlie Rose" at noon on Channel 44. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Maury" at noon on Channel 56 and WPIX. Guests reveal shocking secrets to loved ones. (Closed-captioned)
''Pat Croce: Moving In" at 12:30 p.m. on Channel 38; 2:30 a.m. on Channel 50. A family wants Pat to intervene with their drug-addicted and now homeless son. (Closed-captioned)
''Life & Style" at 3 p.m. on Channel 38. Actor Stephen Baldwin talks about extreme sports; Essence magazine's Pamela Edwards transforms twin sisters; cleaning out a closet; chef Michael Lomonaco; the benefits of eating dinner as a family. (Closed-captioned)
''Oprah Winfrey" at 4 p.m. on Channels 5, 9, and 10. Videotape footage of a baby born with two heads. (Closed-captioned)
''Dr. Phil" at 5 p.m. on Channels 4 and 6; 10 p.m. on Channel 38. A couple struggles with alcoholism and physical abuse.
''Tavis Smiley" at 6 p.m. on Channel 44. Major General Michael Rochelle, Army recruiter; actress Janel Moloney. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''New England Business Day" at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on NECN.
''Greater Boston" at 7 p.m. on Channel 2; midnight Business Beat. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Insider" at 7 p.m. and 2:10 a.m. on Channel 4; 7:30 p.m. on Channel 6. Cannes Film Festival; actress Renee Zellweger (''Cinderella Man"). In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Chronicle" at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 5. New England Travel Guide. The best suggestions for new destinations and diversions off the beaten path in New England. (Closed-captioned)
''Sports Wrap" at 10:45 p.m. on Channel 64.
''Charlie Rose" at 11 p.m. on Channel 2. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Tavis Smiley" at 11 p.m. on Channel 44; 12:30 a.m. on Channel 2. Author Patricia Raybon; actor Ted Danson. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Sports LateNight With Chris Collins" at 11 p.m. on NECN.
''Late Show With David Letterman" at 11:35 p.m. on Channels 4 and 12. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres; Hot Hot Heat performs. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" at 11:35 p.m. on Channels 7 and 10. Actress Teri Hatcher; reality TV couple Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano; Big & Rich perform with Cowboy Troy. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Jimmy Kimmel Live" at 12:05 a.m. on Channels 5, 6, and 9. Actor Adam Scott; Gwen Stefani performs. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" at 12:35 a.m. on Channels 4 and 12. Dr. Phil McGraw; Ringside performs. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
''Late Night With Conan O'Brien" at 12:35 a.m. on Channels 7 and 10. Actress Amy Poehler; actor Christopher Meloni; the Doves perform. In stereo. (Closed-captioned)
