‘L&O’ offers Orbach’s final appearance
In case you didn’t notice, this week marks the departure of two of television’s most beloved TV cops: Andy Sipowicz and “NYPD Blue” bid goodbye on Tuesday, while tonight’s episode of “Law & Order: Trial By Jury” (10 p.m., NBC) features the final screen appearance of Jerry Orbach as Detective Lenny Briscoe.
Filmed just weeks before Orbach’s death, these scenes are typical Briscoe.
Sent to collect potentially damaging evidence about a slain cop at the center of a controversial trial, Lenny projects a combination of cynicism and sympathy. He knows he has to do his job, but his heart is with the street cops outraged at the potential desecration of their partner’s memory.
Careful viewers will also notice a return visit from past “Law & Order” regular Carey Lowell, whose character left McCoy’s staff to become Judge Jamie Ross.
Fans of “Monk” (10 p.m., USA) who fear the drama has gone astray should avert their eyes from tonight’s episode. In typical fashion, the mystery begins with an odd twist.
A 2-year-old (or, to be more precise, a 22-month-old) toddler discovers a severed finger in a park, leading to the frantic search for a nine-fingered classical musician held hostage by ransom-seeking kidnappers.
Look for Nicole Sullivan (“MAD TV”) in a dramatic departure as the boy’s beleaguered stepmom.
Mike (John Larroquette) defends a naive newcomer accused of murdering Hollywood’s most infamous madam on “McBride” (9 p.m., Hallmark).
Oscar winner Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”) directed the 2002 drama “Blood Work” (8 p.m., TNT), about an FBI agent who comes out of retirement to find the killer of his heart donor. Based on the novel by Michael Connelly (“The Narrows”).
While “Star Trek: Enterprise” is not scheduled to air tonight, fans of the soon-to-depart series can vote for their favorite episode on UPN’s Web site ( www.upn.com). The three top vote-getters will air on March 25, April 1 and April 8.
Other highlights
Community service proves confusing on “Joan of Arcadia” (8 p.m., CBS).
“Assembling ‘Robots’: The Magic, the Music and the Comedy” (8 p.m., Fox) offers a promotional glimpse at the forthcoming Fox film.
Overscheduled and overextended on “Bernie Mac” (8:30 Fox).
A killer’s actions follow a pattern on the pilot episode of “Numb3rs” (9 p.m., CBS).
Teens target streetwalkers on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).
A torso rides coach on “CSI” (10 p.m., CBS).
The president has her doubts about Cmdr. Adama’s humanity on “Battlestar Galactica” (10 p.m., Sci Fi).
Cult choice
Corporate catfights abound tonight. Suzanne Pleshette stars as a notorious real-estate mogul in the dishy 1990 biopic “Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean” (7 p.m., Lifetime), followed by “Martha Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart” (9 p.m., Lifetime) starring Cybil Shepherd.
Series notes
On back-to-back episodes of “8 Simple Rules” (ABC), a party to die for (8 p.m.), and hog wild (8:30 p.m.) … Tyra Banks hosts two consecutive episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” (9 p.m., UPN) … On back-to-back episodes of “What I Like About You” (8 p.m., WB), home from Paris (8 p.m.), and unlikely flat mates (8:30 p.m.).
Corrupt cops target Jonny on “Jonny Zero” (9 p.m., Fox) … Kyra is busted on “Reba” (9 p.m., WB) … Food for thought on “Hope & Faith” (9 p.m., ABC).
Claude’s publicity gimmick on “Less Than Perfect” (9:30 p.m., ABC) … Sports humor on “Blue Collar TV” (9:30 p.m., WB).