Bush, Kerry meet for their final debate

President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry meet in the third and final Presidential Debate.

(6 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) at Arizona State University in Tempe. So far, the audience for the debates has been much larger than during the 2000 race, and tonight’s discussion may be the highest-rated event of the election year.

While these quadrennial meetings do not garner Super Bowl-type numbers, they do force other networks to engage in the same kind of counterprogramming that takes place during the annual pigskin winterfest.

This being a close election, you have to wonder if the rival networks are trying to tell us something with their alternative offerings.

East Cost supporters of Ralph Nader who don’t think there is a dime’s worth of difference between the candidates (and who will see the debate at 9 Pacific time) might enjoy “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (9 p.m., Lifetime), but that stars Barbra Streisand, and we all know where she stands.

And don’t forget about the race for Congress.

Both parties would like to “Clean House” (9 p.m., Style) on Nov. 2. And both men probably consider 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to be their “Dream House” (9 p.m., HGTV).

Do the programmers at Bravo clearly think one candidate is “A Clear and Present Danger” (8 p.m.)?

Given his last name and home state, Kerry must be hoping on “The Luck of the Irish” (5 p.m., Fox Movie Channel).

Both candidates tout their service to their country, but only one can claim to have been “In the Line of Fire” (9 p.m., TNT).

Bush supporters who see their man as the next Ronald Reagan might enjoy “We Are the ‘80s” (4 p.m., VH1 Classics).

Kitty Kelley, Maureen Dowd and other best-selling authors have likened the Bush dynasty to the fictional Corleones. Compare for yourself while watching “The Godfather, Part II” (9 p.m., Spike) for the 400th time. The question remains: Is the president supposed to be Sonny, Michael or Fredo?

Remember Enron? The wags at the Discovery Kids Network have. Why else would they broadcast “Kenny the Shark” (6 p.m.) opposite the debates?

Religious supporters of the president hope that he’ll be “Touched by an Angel” (9 p.m., Hallmark).

Had your fill of politics? Find tranquility with “Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating” (9 p.m., A&E).

If the debates aren’t vicious enough for you, there’s always “Dog Eat Dog” (10 p.m., GSN, formerly known as The Game Show Network) or “Animal Face-Off” (9 p.m., Animal Planet).

Other Highlights

The remains of an East Village resident are scattered around the city on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC).

Wild things attack on “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC).

Major League Baseball playoffs (5 p.m., Fox).

The House is in ‘da house. Last season’s winner, Yoanna House, visits the contestants on “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN).

Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) guest stars on “Kevin Hill” (9 p.m., UPN).

Intrepid plumbers search for spirits in an old theater on “Ghost Hunters” (9 p.m., Sci Fi).

Cult Choice

An Arizona sheriff (Clint Eastwood) seeks justice in Manhattan in the 1968 drama “Coogan’s Bluff” (8 p.m., AMC), directed by Don Siegel.

Series Notes

Strange transformations on the football field on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Tensions mount on “The Mountain” (9 p.m., WB).