-- Twelve years on television is an eternity. Marg Helgenberger will leave "CSI" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14) after two more episodes, beginning tonight. Her character, Catherine Willows, has been part of the forensics series since it debuted in 2000, outlasting male leads William Petersen and Laurence Fishburne.
"CSI" has long been compared to "Law & Order," another long-running procedural franchise that spawned successful spinoffs and all but dominated its network's schedule. But to many, "CSI" will always be associated with Grissom and Willows. Unlike "Law & Order," it has been affected by its revolving door of lead characters. And it's highly doubtful that "CSI" will run as long as "Law & Order."
Helgenberger will also appear on "Late Show With David Letterman" tonight.
-- Now in its 11th season, "American Idol" (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) shows little sign of flagging. To the surprise of many, it has changed personnel without missing a beat. It has persevered, even thrived in spite of Paula Abdul's and Simon Cowell's departures. In fact, Cowell's "X Factor" was received with less than rapturous reviews and ratings, while "Idol's" new judges, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, adjusted quite naturally to their roles.
Competing programs, including "The Voice," "America's Got Talent" and "X Factor," have never approached "Idol" in audience size. But their combined presence could contribute to a sense of talent show fatigue. And that could eventually contribute to the decline of "Idol." On the other hand, too much of a good (or a bad) thing is rarely a problem in reality television.
-- Far from the field of singing competition, "Greatest Tank Battles" (10 p.m., Military) spends 10 weekly episodes recalling mechanized warfare from World War I onward. It's nice to see that somebody's still broadcasting history programming. Last year, the History Channel got the highest ratings in its history by ignoring it.
-- Speaking of history, "NOVA" (9 p.m., PBS) presents "3-D Spies of WWII." It recalls how photo and optics experts from British universities and Hollywood studios compiled thousands of photographs to create 3-D images of potential targets for Allied bombers.
-- S. Epatha Merkerson ("Law & Order") hosts "Find Our Missing" (10 p.m., TVOne), documenting missing persons cases involving black men, women and children, who are generally ignored by the news media.
-- A Hamptons divorce "celebration" becomes a posh setting for multiple misunderstandings as "Royal Pains" (10 p.m., USA, TV-PG) returns with new episodes. This show should really be titled "Everybody Loves (Dr.) Hank (But Not as Much as Hank Loves Himself)."
TONIGHT'S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
-- Zooey Deschanel stars in the 2009 romance "(500) Days of Summer" (8 p.m., E!).
-- Twin brides plus one murder doesn't add up on "Harry's Law" (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14). Jean Smart guest-stars.
-- Harry Connick Jr. guest-stars on "Law & Order: SVU" (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
-- Daniel's big proposal on "Revenge" (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
-- "True Life: I Have Diabetes" (11 p.m. MTV).
CULT CHOICE
Two precocious preppies trail a concert pianist (Peter Sellers) with indiscretions to hide in the 1964 comedy "The World of Henry Orient" (8 p.m., TCM). Think "Gossip Girl" meets "Mad Men" and you're getting close.
SERIES NOTES
Welcome home to murder on "NCIS" (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) ... Wedding planning on "Whitney" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14) ... Begrudging charity on "The Middle" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) ... Dan, abandoned on "One Tree Hill" (8 p.m., CW) ... Chelsea puts a move on her sister's old boyfriend on "Are You There, Chelsea?" (8:30 p.m., NBC, TV-14) ... Casinos are for losers on "Suburgatory" (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
A new killing echoes a vintage crime spree on "Criminal Minds" (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) ... "Modern Family" (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14) ... Fashion is very, very, very important on "Remodeled" (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) ... A major transformation on "Happy Endings" (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
Shaun White and Sammy Adams appear on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS) ... Marg Helgenberger and Ellie Goulding are scheduled on "Late Show With David Letterman" (11:35 p.m., CBS) ... Jay Leno welcomes Jennifer Garner, Ross Matthews and Parachute on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC) ... Will Arnett and Dana Gould appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (midnight, ABC).
Bill Cosby, Anthony Mackie and Wale visit "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" (12:35 a.m., NBC) ... Craig Ferguson hosts David Duchovny and Dr. Sanjay Gupta on "The Late Late Show" (12:35 a.m., CBS).
(Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.)
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