Dunaway, Moore return to small screen
Two veteran actresses make guest-star appearances tonight.
Faye Dunaway plays a former Las Vegas showgirl with ties to the underworld on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).
While best known for a long film resume including “Bonnie and Clyde,” “The Thomas Crown Affair, “Chinatown,” “Network” and “Mommie Dearest,” Dunaway is no stranger to television. Just last year she was the star of the WB reality talent search called “The Starlet.”
Dunaway has been making TV movies since the 1970s, appearing in adaptations of the stage dramas “Hogan’s Goat” (1971) and “After the Fall” (1974) on the small screen.
She played Evita long before Madonna did, starring in the title role of the 1981 made-for-TV biopic “Evita Peron,” co-starring James Farentino as her dictator husband.
Fans of “Alias” will recall Dunaway’s guest stints as Ariana Kane.
She also appeared on the Showtime series “Soul Food” as Katherine Burke and had several stints on “Touched By An Angel” as Dr. Rebecca Markham.
A repeat episode of “CSI” (8 p.m.) will precede tonight’s original installment.
Mary Tyler Moore will appear on “That ‘70s Show” (8 p.m., Fox). The multiple-Emmy winner will appear as the star of local TV show “What’s Up Wisconsin?”
This is clearly a nod to her job at a local Minnesota TV station on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” one of the more popular shows of the ‘70s.
The guest spot on “That ‘70s Show” marks a homecoming of sorts for Moore. The comedy is shot in the same Studio City studio where “Mary Tyler Moore” was produced from 1970 to 1977.
“That ‘70s Show” will air its final episode in May. The comedy debuted in 1998 and has been limping along for some time now.
This past season has seen the departure of its two biggest stars, Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace. A second episode (8:30 p.m.) follows.
“The Final Report: The Waco Tragedy” (7, 9 and 10 p.m., National Geographic) looks at the 1993 standoff between federal agents and the heavily armed Branch Davidian compound that resulted in a gun battle, fire and multiple fatalities. Witnesses on both sides of the hostilities are interviewed, and events leading up to the explosive confrontation are re-examined with 12 years’ hindsight and reflection.
Clive Doyle, a survivor of the inferno at the compound, recalls their leader, David Koresh, who used biblical end-times prophecies to teach his followers about coming government persecution and exhorted them to buy guns, and, if necessary, use them. Four federal agents were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on Koresh.
A 51-day siege ensued, ending in catastrophe. Doyle lost a daughter in the conflagration.
Other highlights
Tom Bergeron hosts “Dancing with the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC).
A proper sendoff before incarceration on “My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC).
Kaitlin refuses to settle down on “The O.C.” (9 p.m., Fox).
Afraid that his popularity is waning, Michael exchanges his office for a cubicle on “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC).
Suzanne finds a new social circle on “Crumbs” (9:30 p.m., ABC).
A missing teacher may be hiding something on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
A sudden crash sends a surrogate mother into labor on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): a recent rash of cruise ship whodunits.
Cult choice
A cornea transplant recipient (Lee Sin-Je) suffers nightmares and visions in the 2002 Hong Kong-produced shocker “The Eye” (4:15 p.m., IFC).
Series notes
A bombshell revelation on “Will & Grace” (8 p.m., NBC) … A fateful trip to the fortress of solitude on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Barry dates Ben’s old crush on “Four Kings” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … Competition on “Beauty and the Geek” (9 p.m., WB).