Nova: The Most Dangerous Woman in America, 8 p.m., Channels 48, 16.

Health, science and civil liberties converged a century ago in the fascinating case of Mary Mallon. She was a cook and considered a typhoid carrier. Soon, she was dubbed Typhoid Mary and quarantined on an island.

Doctors, lawyers and others were drawn into the debate. It's a fascinating tale, told with reenactments, old photos, newsreels and modern experts' comments.

Tonight's oddity

Father of the Pride, 8-9:30 p.m., Channels 5, 2.

Here's a new example of the network jumpiness that befuddles the audience. Last week, viewers voted for the winner of Last Comic Standing, with the results to be announced at 8 p.m. today. Then NBC yanked the final episode with no immediate word on when it would air. Instead, it plugs in two Pride reruns. One has Eddie Murphy as the donkey he played in Shrek; the other has Larry and Kate finding catnip in their daughter's stuff.

That's followed at 9 p.m. by a new episode in which Larry steals a big-screen TV.

Worth watching

Baseball, 8 p.m. Channels 19, 45. The American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees begins.

NCIS, 8 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Things turn creepy when two Marine pilots are missing and their helicopter is found at a crop circle.

Clubhouse, 9 p.m., Channels 12, 7. The bat boys think they're supposed to sleep at the stadium tonight. Alas, this may be another prank.

Veronica Mars, 9 p.m., Channel 25. The network threw viewers a curve ball last week. That was a late decision to plug in a rerun, because some affiliates were showing the vice presidential debate. Tonight - barring another switch - Veronica tries to help a classmate who has been swindled via e-mail.

Frontline: The Choice, 9-11 p.m., Channels 48, 16. On the eve of the final presidential debate, this entwines profiles of John Kerry and George W. Bush.

Tanner on Tanner, 9 p.m., Sundance Channel. Here's the second half-hour of this follow-up to the 1988 cable series, Tanner '88. The original had Michael Murphy as Jack Tanner, running for president, with Cynthia Nixon as his daughter, Alex. Last week, a rough cut of Alex's documentary drew tepid reactions, with Robert Redford telling her to start over. Tonight, she heads to the Democratic convention, hoping for fresh interviews. It's fascinating to watch a fictional show entwined with real settings and people.

NYPD Blue, 10 p.m., Channels 9, 22. Andy bitterly tries to learn which of his old enemies is stalking him.

Law & Order: SVU, 10 p.m., Channels 5, 2. When a controversial actress is raped, people blame the radio commentator (Lewis Black) and community activist (Dana Delany) who stirred up criticism.

Manhunt debut, 10 p.m., Bravo. Carmen Electra hosts a search for the best male model.

Wanda Does It, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central. This episode has Wanda Sykes learning to gamble in Las Vegas.