TV tonight: 'White Collar'

Mike Hughes | TV America

Peter (Tim DeKay), a federal agent, is quite smart and attractive ... until you compare him to Neal. With immense charm and smarts, Neal (Matt Bomer) is a master con artist.

Think of them as the Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio characters in "Catch Me If You Can." Now imagine them reluctantly working together.

That's the premise in this series, which is the sort of thing USA does so well: It puts interesting characters into bright settings, mixing action with occasional humor. There's good support from Tiffani Thiessen as Peter's wife, Willie Garson as Neal's informant and Diahann Carroll as a benefactor.

Sharona returns to 'Monk' for his help

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: "Monk," 9 p.m., USA.

For this show's first three season, Bitty Schram was terrific as Sharona, Adrian Monk's aide, nurse, friend and protector. She left after a contract dispute, but finally returns tonight.

That happens so quickly that Monk is confused. "What year is this?" he asks.

Soon, he's helping probe the death of her uncle. That puts him with the new aide (Natalie) and the old one, feeling like someone torn between two lovers. He's also torn by their opposite approaches to the job; one elevator scene is quietly hilarious.

There are some loopy moments here, along with a so-so crime tale. "Monk" makes up for it, however, with warmth, humor and one of TV's best sand-trap fight scenes.

Also today

• "Law & Order," 8 p.m., NBC. When an abortionist is slain in a church, there are several suspects.

• "Ghost Whisperer," 8 p.m., CBS. Chad Lowe plays one of Eli's patients, who feels his sister's ghost is haunting him.

• "Medium," 9 p.m., CBS. On the show's 100th episode, Allison helps the search for a kidnapped boy, while her husband worries that she's becoming too involved. Meanwhile, their daughters have an odd difference: One struggles to learn the clarinet; another plays perfectly after one lesson.

• "Ugly Betty," 9 p.m., ABC. There are plenty of familiar guest stars tonight: Hamish Linklater ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") plays a hot new designer; Adam Ferrara plays a customer of Hilda who can help Betty reach the designer. Also, Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("The Sopranos") plays a sexy woman Daniel meets during a dealing-with-grief session.

• "Dollhouse," 9 p.m., Fox. We learn how Sierra became an "active" (imprinted with the personalities with different people), during an episode in which murder links to her past.

• "Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)" (9 p.m.) and "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979, 10 p.m.), IFC (via satellite or digital cable). First is the conclusion of the six-night documentary on the history of Monty Python, the brilliant British group. Then is the Python masterpiece, a satirical gem about a guy mistakenly considered the Savior.

• "Numb3rs," 10 p.m., CBS. Here's a question we never used to worry about: Is it possible that the kidnapped child is a clone?

• "The Jay Leno Show," 10 p.m., NBC. Colin Firth is the in-studio guest.