The anguished parent of a beloved child victim hosts a series dedicated to finding the missing and bringing criminals to justice. Sound familiar? That's a pretty good description of "America's Most Wanted," the Fox Network's longest-running series and one of the most dependable series in the history of television. And it also describes "Vanished with Beth Holloway" (10 p.m., Lifetime), debuting tonight.
The host is, of course, the mother of Natalee Holloway, the college senior who disappeared at the end of a 2005 vacation in Aruba and whose plight became the center of what has seemed like millions of hours of speculation on cable news and gossip shows.
But before Beth Holloway can begin looking for vanished people, she must first rehash the story of her daughter's disappearance. And before she can even begin doing that, Lifetime will air the 2011 cable drama "Justice for Natalee Holloway" (8 p.m., Lifetime), in which Tracy Pollan plays Beth Holloway. Please don't confuse it with the 2009 cable drama "Natalee Holloway." Tracy Pollan starred in that, too.
Despite her many cable news appearances, Beth Holloway has a long way to go before arriving as a convincing TV host. Her delivery is shaky when it is not stiff. She certainly lacks the blunt authority that John Walsh projects on "Most Wanted." She may project an aura of being just another concerned mother when discussing her own missing daughter, but it probably won't wear well as she begins to discuss other family's tragedies.
-- "American Experience" (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings) presents "Soundtrack for a Revolution," a look at the songs, known as "Freedom Songs" sung at Civil Rights rallies, picket lines and in jail cells as thousands organized to fight segregation.
"Soundtrack" also features performances of Freedom Songs by contemporary artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean and The Roots.
-- A week before the "Chuck" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14) season finale, Chuck's wedding to Sarah nears, and his mom (Linda Hamilton) needs saving once again.
While this show has not yet been officially canceled, it's more than a safe bet to assume that next week's airing will be its last. For the record, its title will be "Chuck Versus the Cliffanger."
"Chuck" first aired in 2007 and, like "Heroes" sort of fizzled out around the time of the TV writer's strike. It had a decent two-year run that NBC decided to stretch into a four-year forced march. A fifth season would not be wise. But then again, neither was a third.
TONIGHT'S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
-- An ailing boxer gets a second chance on "House" (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14,V).
-- "Dancing with the Stars" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) continues.
-- Sterling finds an unlikely ally on "The Event" (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
-- Teresa takes on corruption on "The Chicago Code" (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14,V).
-- Danny is exposed to deadly toxins on "CSI: Miami" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14,V).
-- Arson and something extra on "Law & Order: Los Angeles" (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
-- Death enters a beauty pageant on "Castle" (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
CULT CHOICE
Lucille Ball co-stars in the 1947 crime thriller "Lured" (6:15 p.m., Eastern, TCM) about a serial killer on the loose.
SERIES NOTES
Ted makes a fateful decision on "How I Met Your Mother" (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) ... Prom madness on "90210" (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) ... Larry meets Ms. Right on "Mad Love" (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) ... Chasing the unobtainable on "Two and a Half Men" (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14,D) ... Jack Bass returns on "Gossip Girl" (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) ... Birthday-planning drama on "Mike & Molly" (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG,D).
LATE NIGHT
Keira Knightley is scheduled on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (11 p.m., Comedy Central) ... Anthony Hopkins, Demetri Martin and Amos Lee appear on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS) ... Albert Brooks and Kristen Wiig are booked on "Late Show with David Letterman" (11:35 p.m., CBS) ... Jay Leno welcomes Jennifer Lopez, Chris Colfer and BC Jean on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC) ... Sinbad, Jonny Lang, Brad Whitford & Chris Layton appear on "Lopez Tonight" (Midnight, TBS) ... Rob Lowe, Ty Pennington and Wiz Khalifa appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (Midnight, ABC) ... Chelsea Handler and Josh Gad chat on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (12:35 a.m., NBC).
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