Tonight's TV Hot List for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

American Idol
8 pm/ET FOX
Idol certainly isn't idle — the talent show is hitting its stride with the second results show tonight. Last week, 24 million votes were cast (almost 10 million more than this time last year, according to FOX), and America advanced Alexis Grace (her rendering of "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" sizzled and smoked), big Texan Michael Sarver and likable Danny Gokey to the finals. Tonight's second set of semifinalists hope for similar good fate. Alas, only three finalists will be chosen — and nine hopefuls will be cut. —Dean Maurer
The Black List: Volume Two
8 pm/ET HBO
Trying to top the first installment of interviews with influential black Americans would be a tall task, but that's not really the point. Instead, this second hour is simply an extension of 2008's Volume One, with director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and unseen interviewer Elvis Mitchell selecting 15 conscientious, dedicated individuals to share their stories, including Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, artist Kara Walker, actor Laurence Fishburne, activist Majora Carter and pastor T.D. Jakes. —Joe Friedrich
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
9 pm/ET CBS
The CSIs investigate three head-scratching murder cases on tonight's more-complex-than-usual episode. The trio of deaths, seemingly unrelated and occurring in separate Vegas locations, stretch the staff thin and force the usually lab-locked Wendy into the field. The victims are an art dealer who may be involved in fraud, a 31-year-old Hollywood woman on the fringe of show business and a private investigator searching for a missing person. The cases couldn't be more different, but a common link is discovered. John Schneider guest stars. —Tim Holland
The Chris Isaak Hour
10 pm/ET BIO
The versatile entertainer known for his silky singing style and acting forays in film and TV (he starred in his own series in the early 2000s) hosts a talk show featuring music artists who chat about their lives and perform with Isaak. In the opener, he talks with Trisha Yearwood about her childhood, the years before stardom and family life. Among the songs they perform are "Wrong Side of Memphis," "Crazy," "Walkaway Joe" and "Breaking Apart." —Bill Ecklund
Burn Notice
10 pm/ET USA
When working on a case, Michael Westen always remains effortlessly cool and collected. His latest job, however, threatens his composure when it takes a decidedly personal turn. His ex-fiancée (Dina Meyer) shows up in Miami to ask him to help her locate her kidnapped son. And to add more stress to his plate, Michael also sets his sights on befriending a rogue burned agent before one of them ends up dead. —Brie Hearn
In Performance at the White House
8 pm/ET PBS (check local listings)
From 12-year-old wunderkind to modern-day inspiration, there's much to be said of and about Stevie Wonder. Here he receives official recognition for his talents at the White House, where President Obama — who used Wonder's "Signed, Sealed and Delivered I'm Yours" as a theme song during the 2008 campaign — honors him with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The likes of Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Martina McBride, Esperanza Spalding, will.i.am and Mary Mary sing his songs, and Wonder, of course, also performs. —Jeff Gemmill