TV’s best bets: Kid ‘Home Alone’ outwits two crooks

Tonight’s might-see

“Home Alone” (1990), 6 and 8 p.m., FX. On a surprisingly weak night for movies, we might as well return to a familiar pleasure. The art of the sight-gag had almost disappeared, when producer-writer John Hughes came up with this idea, perfectly directed by Chris Columbus.

Harried parents (John Heard, Catherine O’Hara) go on vacation without a proper head-count. Now their son (Macaulay Culkin, in his delightful stage) must defend the home from two witless crooks (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern). Columbus wisely leaves room for warmth and Christmastime sentiment. Mostly, however, he pours on the big, broad sight gags.

Tonight’s might-see II

“TV’s All-Time Funniest,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. This new (well, semi-new) special took a poll to see who are TV’s funniest characters. Expect lots of clips.

Other choices include

“Dreamgirls” (2006), 6:45 p.m., HBO. A Broadway musical was skillfully turned into a movie. There’s a lot of vibrant, Motown-style music, plus strong characters, perfectly cast. Jennifer Hudson won a well-deserved Academy Award; there’s also fine work from Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Keith Robinson and more.

“Must Love Dogs” (2005), 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Oxygen. Diane Lane and John Cusack star in a pleasantly understated comedy about reluctant romance.

“Ghost Whisperer,” 8 p.m., CBS. Melinda feels that investigating an old murder case may help her learn what happened to her father.

“Moonlight,” 9 p.m., CBS. Alex tries to rescue the kidnapped grandson of his former war buddy.

“Man vs. Wild,” 9 p.m., Discovery. This hour may cause you to re-consider your summer plans for a vacation in the Namibian Desert.

“Numb3rs,” 10 p.m., CBS. A rap star has been shot. That leads to an investigation of possible embezzlement.

“Battlestar Galactica,” 10 p.m., Sci Fi. As the search for Earth continues, a surprising alliance is formed.