Tonight's TV Hot List: Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Middle
8:30/7:30c ABC
What the Hecks? It's like Mother's Day in reverse for Frankie when she spends the holiday doing even more than usual for Mike and the kids instead of the other way around. Then she escapes the Heck house for a few hours to take solace at her mom's place and dumps the same mess on her mother (Marsha Mason), expecting to be waited on hand and foot. Meanwhile, Sue feels guilty about stealing a motivational magnet from a store, even though the magnet itself is partly to blame. — Fred Mitchell
American Idol
9/8c Fox
"Croon a tune" was the task last night when the final five reimagined the swingy standards of Frank Sinatra, an entertainment titan so iconic that he has no less than three nicknames — Ol' Blue Eyes, the Chairman of the Board, and the Voice. Hot on the heels of those performances comes tonight's results show, in which one of our gifted singers — Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, Casey James, Aaron Kelly or Michael Lynche — will be sent packing. Boosting the proceedings are performances by Harry Connick Jr. (last night's music mentor) and Lady Gaga, who delivers her song "Alejandro." — Dean Maurer
America's Next Top Model
8/7c CW
At the end of this episode the final four will be revealed. But to make it into that elite group, the five remaining models must impress their latest photographer — Tyra! They also meet New Zealand actress Sarah McLeod and visit one of the sets for The Lord of the Rings, which McLeod appeared in, where they pose for a quick five-frame photo shoot. — Tim Holland
New Adventures of Old Christine
8/7c CBS
Tim Meadows guest stars in an episode that's literally a scream. That's because New Christine (Emily Rutherfurd) goes into painful labor (Meadows is her ob-gyn). But Old Christine is screaming as well because she believes a prowler is on the loose in her neighborhood, and she convinces Matthew to stay over. — Tim Holland
Criminal Minds
9/8c CBS
The NFL's Greg Jennings guest-stars and his character makes a sweep of sorts...a sweep of a crime scene as he plays an evidence technician who aids the team. The case involves a serial killer who commits suicide and leaves clues identifying a person he abducted — and who could still be alive. — Bill Ecklund
Top Chef Masters
10/9c Bravo
Bravo's palate-pleasing reality-meets-cooking series progresses to the next level — the champions round, featuring the advancing Top 8 culinary artisans. The heat is on when these chief chefs form teams for a blindfolded, cuisine-themed relay race. Later, in the elimination round, the cooks are tasked to cater a wedding in San Juan Capistrano, Cal. There likely won't be wedded bliss for the competitors since there's a big catch: They must cook out of mobile kitchens. — Dean Maurer
Live from Lincoln Center
9/8c PBS
Alan Alda hosts what's sure to be a delectable menu of classical delights at the Lincoln Center's Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, where the "power trio" of pianist Emanuel Ax, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman serve the tantalizing main course: Mendelssohn's Piano Trios. — Jeff Gemmill