Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Aug. 23, 2010

Miss Universe Pageant
9/8c NBC
A global collection of head-turning beauties is featured as the women vie for the crown by competing in swimsuit, evening-gown and interview categories at the 59th annual contest, hosted by Natalie Morales and rocker Bret Michaels from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Adding sonic glitz to the gala is a song medley from the Cirque du Soleil show, Viva ELVIS, plus a performance by John Legend and the Roots. The celeb panel of judges includes illusionist Criss Angel; actors William Baldwin, Chazz Palminteri and Jane Seymour; anchor Tamron Hall; skater Evan Lysacek; singer Chynna Phillips; model Niki Taylor; and musician Sheila E. — Dean Maurer
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
10/9c Travel
In July 2006, Tony Bourdain was in Beirut filming an episode of No Reservations, when, suddenly, Israeli warplanes started bombing parts of the Lebanese capital, igniting the Israel-Hezbollah war. For eight days, he and his crew were stranded on a hilltop hotel, watching as parts of the city were flattened by bombs. The cameras kept rolling, and the result was probably the most compelling episode in the show's history, and an Emmy nomination. Now, he's rounding up the same crew and going back to finish the show he set out to make four years ago. — Karen Andzejewicz

Aftermath
10/9c Biography
Guests on the show discuss how a past event affected them in the years that followed. Today's guest has a unique perspective, because, for former POW Jessica Lynch, the aftermath of her traumatic experience was also shaped by what didn't happen. Lynch was taken prisoner by Iraqi forces in 2003, but later she revealed that the U.S. government accounts of her capture and rescue were embellished. (Lynch has stated that she received hate mail after she disputed exaggerated accounts of her experiences.) — Bill Ecklund
Huge
9/8c ABC Family
It's time for parents' weekend at Camp Victory, and along with much-anticipated reunions, this event brings lies, contraband and disappointment. Alistair decides to put on a charade for his parents and pretend that Becca is his girlfriend, while Amber's mother tempts her by smuggling in a tasty treat. But Will doesn't have to worry about lying to her parents or resisting their presents, because her folks simply don't show up. This two-part episode concludes with next week's mid-season finale. — Jennifer Sankowski
Bond of Silence
9/8c Lifetime
Kim Raver and Greg Grunberg star this 2010 Lifetime original movie based on the true story of a widow determined to uncover how and why her husband died as he attempted to quiet down a teenage New Year's Eve party. Unfortunately, those involved aren't talking, and she's faced with the daunting task of trying to find the truth while grieving. — Rhoda Charles
If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise
9/8c HBO
Four years ago, Spike Lee's documentary When the Levees Broke visited New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His 2010 follow-up measures the progress made in rebuilding, education and social services, though opinions vary depending on who's telling the story. In tonight's Part 1, the Saints' Super Bowl victory is one cause for celebration, but throughout the region, hope for the future has been dashed to a considerable extent by the BP oil spill in April, which is the focus of tomorrow's Part 2. — Joe Friedrich
Dance Your Ass Off
10/9c Oxygen
Here's the skinny on this weight-loss reality series: The summer-long contest to dance away the pounds begins drawing to a close tonight with the first part of the Season 2 finale. Our slimming contestants, after having tested their willpower at home without the inspiration of trainers and nutritionists around them, now come face-to-face with the season's biggest twist of all. The conclusion of the finale, which airs next week, will size up the contestants' progress...and reveal the winner. — Dean Maurer