‘Scrubs’ repeat stars a pair of Perrys

Stars from sitcoms past reappear on tonight’s rerun-intensive lineup. “Friends” star Matthew Perry guest stars on “Scrubs” (9 p.m., NBC) as a young man donating a kidney to save the life of his estranged father, played quite convincingly by John Bennett Perry, who happens to be Perry’s real-life dad. Just don’t confuse him with Kathleen Turner, who played Chandler’s gender-bending papa on “Friends.”

The elder Perry, whose numerous film and television credits date back to the early 1970s, also played Matthew Perry’s dad in the 1997 comedy “Fools Rush In.”

John Bennett Perry appeared in the 1984 primetime soap “Paper Dolls.” Set in the world of fashion, modeling and cosmetics, this “Dynasty” knock-off ran for only three months, but developed a cult following nonetheless. That probably had something to do with an over-the-top cast including Mimi Rogers, Richard Beymer, Morgan Fairchild, Nicollette Sheridan, Lauren Hutton and Brenda Vaccaro! The show introduced viewers to a young actress named Terry Farrell (as a character clearly based on real-life model Brooke Shields), who would later star on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and co-star with Ted Danson on “Becker.”

A second “Scrubs” (9:30 p.m.), in which J.D. becomes consumed with professional jealousy, follows.

NBC recently announced that former “3rd Rock from the Sun” star Kirsten Johnston will join the cast of “ER” in a recurring role as Eve Payton, a tough-as-nails manager of the nursing staff who will develop a particularly prickly relationship with Nurse Sam (Linda Cardellini).

Johnston, who won an Emmy for her role as the alien Sally on “3rd Rock,” will come full circle by joining the hospital drama. She made her television debut as a doctor on “Chicago Hope” in 1994, when that CBS drama aired opposite a freshman hospital drama called “ER.”

Since then, Johnston has appeared on “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Sex and the City,” and in films including “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas” (7 p.m., Sci Fi) and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” A few years back, Johnston starred on Broadway in the classic stage comedy “The Women.” Director George Cukor’s 1939 adaptation of “The Women” (5 p.m., TCM), starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford, can be seen tonight.

Former “X-Files” star David Duchovny returns to spooky skullduggery in the 2001 comedy “Evolution” (8 p.m., ABC), co-starring Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott and Julianne Moore.

Critics were unkind to the less-than-intelligent design of “Evolution.” Roger Ebert summed up consensus opinion with the line, “It’s not good, but it’s nowhere near as bad as most recent comedies.” Entertainment Weekly praised it as “Visually witty,” but The Village Voice called it “a sodden mess” that may eclipse “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” in the bad-movie pantheon. Now that sounds interesting.

“Combat Ready” (8 p.m., Military) looks at the history of war games, from ancient board games to state-of-the-art digital simulations used by policymakers to prepare our armed forces for possible conflicts and future threats.

Tonight’s other highlights

Reese Witherspoon stars as a beauty caught between two men (Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey) in the 2002 comedy “Sweet Home Alabama” (8 p.m., Fox). As in “Miss Congeniality,” Candice Bergen makes the most of a small role.

Grace’s dad (Alan Arkin) arrives, issues in tow, on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).

Flashfloods pound the strip on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).

A small town loses a second teen in as many years on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).

A patient from Carter’s distant past brings up old wounds on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).

Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): new technology and police emergency 911 calls.

Ringo Starr and the Roundheads perform on “Soundstage” (10 p.m., KSPS).

Series notes

Julie Chen hosts “Big Brother 6” (8 p.m., CBS) … Joey harbors a secret about his neighbor’s husband on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … Wrestling on “WWE SmackDown!” (8 p.m., UPN) … A Superman’s best friend on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB).

Madison’s secret revealed on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB).