‘Nip/Tuck’ begins second season

Tonight at 10 brings the second season premiere of FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” the imaginative if erratic series about the personal and professional trials of two Miami plastic surgeons. It ain’t “The Sopranos,” but you won’t be bored. Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon star, along with Joely Richardson, whose real-life mother, Vanessa Redgrave, turns up as her TV mom. Pretty cool.

Tonight’s episode finds partners Sean (Walsh) and Christian (McMahon) both grappling with the idea of getting old and facing responsibility. And Richardson’s Julia has a few issues of her own when her overbearing mother arrives, demanding a facelift from Julia’s husband, Sean.

Highlights

Summer of not enough laughs, ABC at 8: The sitcom rerun marathon continues. Tonight’s disappointments are “8 Simple Rules,” “I’m With Her,” “According to Jim” and “Less Than Perfect.”

“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 8: George Clinton and his freaky Parliament Funkadelic crowd guest as Bernie turns 40. New episode!

“AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Songs,” CBS at 8: Another American Film Institute countdown show, with everyone from Clay Aiken to Paul Simon digging into the history of movie music. John Travolta, aka “Saturday Night Fever’s” Tony Manero, hosts.

“The Next Action Star,” NBC at 8: Reality contest followed by “The Last Comic Standing” and a repeat of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

“Method & Red,” Fox at 8:30: Repeat of the new sitcom pilot in which rappers move on up to a big suburban mansion in the kind of neighborhood where big-time bling is considered tacky.

“The Jury,” Fox at 9: Two gangbangers stand trial for the shooting death of a neighborhood woman.

“NYPD 24/7,” ABC at 10: A look at the work of Andy Sipowicz’s real-life counterparts.

Family Fare

“Gilmore Girls,” WB at 8: All of Stars Hollow turns out for Liz’s wedding, and Lorelai and Luke share a romantic dance. Repeat.

“Summerland,” WB at 9: One of the few new shows on tonight. The roommates’ luau brings lots of relationship news, including a secret about why Johnny broke up with Ava.

Cable Cast

“Blow Out,” Bravo at 9: More “drama” in the reality series about the opening of a Beverly Hills hair salon.

“The Last Seduction” (1994), WE at 9: Often overlooked when people talk about new-school noir, this is a rip-roaring thriller, with Linda Fiorentino as one of the all-time femme fatales, and Peter Berg and Bill Pullman are among her victims.

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Bravo at 10: Brooklyn gambler Phil R. gets a makeover.

Late Night Talk

“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Kevin Kline and Nicole Richie.

“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Tobey Maguire and Maroon 5.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.

“Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” CBS at 12:35: Avril Lavigne.

“Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35: Ashley Judd and Alanis Morissette.