To view this presentation, you need to install the Flash plug-inGET IT NOW

•One of the benefits of moving past the freak-show auditions to the actual talent portion of American Idol (Fox, 8 ET/PT) is that the switch allows the show to shed most of its reality-genre cruelty. Simon can be gratuitously harsh, but that, at least, can be seen as preparing contestants for the world that awaits. Besides, as annoying as it may be, he's almost invariably right, something contestants would do well to keep in mind.

Unfortunately, bad habits die hard and uglier aspects linger, less in the judging than in the delivery of the results. Never was that clearer than in the last show, obviously constructed to provoke one final outburst from an about-to-be-ousted Tatiana. And just in case she didn't comply, the show arranged to have her egged on by an unctuous Ryan Seacrest, who has no business mocking anyone else for a lack of talent or control. (Considering his humiliating performance at the Emmys, the only attitude we want to see from Seacrest is contrition.) Whatever the general standards may be for Fox reality shows, it's way past time Idol's producers realized such behavior is beneath them.

•Let that be one more reason to watch Lost (ABC, 9 ET/PT). Tonight, we find out what Locke (Terry O'Quinn) was up to when he left the island.