Tonight's TV Hot List: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010

Winter Olympics
8/7c NBC
Newly crowned national women's champ Rachael Flatt and 2008 winner Mirai Nagasu are the U.S. contingent as women's figure skating starts with the short program. Flatt, a high-school senior, hopes to study biomechanical engineering in college. "I don't like all the attention," she says. "I just like to skate." She won't be able to avoid the attention here, especially if she is able to out-skate favorites Kim Yu-Na and Mao Asada. Ski cross continues with the women's qualification, featuring France's Ophelie David, and the women's bobsled event begins, with American driver Shauna Rohbock back to try to improve on her silver-medal performance in Torino in 2006. Skiing features Bode Miller and Ted Ligety in the rescheduled men's giant slalom, as well as Nordic combined's team event, combining cross-country and ski-jumping. "You need two different hats," says Bill Demong, part of a strong U.S. foursome. "The ski jump is reflex, the cross country is far more cerebral and you have to dig deep." Johnny Spillane won the first-ever U.S. medal in the sport last Sunday. — Dave Roeder
American Idol
8/7c Fox
There were quite a few picture-perfect moments at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood last week. A clear focus was on the dwindling golden-ticket holders, still hoping for a coveted slot in the Top 24. They had to face the music, sitting with nerve-wracked quivers before judges Simon, Kara, Randy and Ellen, who delivered their musical fates. While dreams were dashed for many, 24 others triumphantly advanced to the semifinal round, which kicks off tonight with the first two-hour live episode of Season 9. Here, the Top 12 female singers take the stage, and viewer voting begins. — Dean Maurer
19 Kids and Counting
9/8c TLC
As evidenced by last week's episode, it takes some serious organization to move a family of 21. And the same goes for feeding them. Now that the Duggars are settled into their Little Rock digs, Michelle shows us why she can be called "supermom" when she's faced with the daunting task of heading to the grocery store to buy enough food to feed her supersized brood. Meanwhile, there's good news at the NICU when little Josie reaches an important milestone in her growth. —Karen Andzejewicz
Lost
9/8c ABC
Okay, we're up to date on what the "trapped" Locke Monster's up to. He wants out! And we know that Jacob was thinking succession. (Where's Kate?) Full understanding, of course, is another matter ("inside joke" indeed), but last week's Sawyer-Locke Monster walkabout certainly was draining. Sawyer will encounter a friendlier face tonight. You can also look for more doings at the temple. And back in L.A., Hurley's trying to talk Jack into...something. Veronica Hamel returns as Jack's mother, Margo. — Paul Droesch
Frontline
9/8c PBS
This timely report from veteran Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi travels into northern Afghanistan, where a militant cell with ties to the Taliban and Al Qaeda allow him to chronicle their actions over a 10-day period. In addition to imposing Sharia law on the towns that they visit, the cell members pick up supplies and weapons, and build IEDs to alongside a major thoroughfare. Later, David Montero reports on Pakistan's troubled public schools. — Jeff Gemmill