Carol Burnett's guest appearance makes "Law & Order: SVU" a Tuesday TV pick

"LAW & ORDER:

SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT"

The glorious Carol Burnett takes on a serious role when she guest stars on tonight's episode ("Ballerina") as a former Rockette who helps Benson and Stabler with a murder investigation. Watch out guys, this character reminds me of Norma Desmond. 10 tonight, NBC (seattletimes.com/tvlistings).

Doug Knoop, Seattle Times staff

Also on today

"NCIS," 8 p.m. (CBS): The death of a boxer incites Vance (Rocky Carroll) to begin his own investigation, and soon enough Gibbs (Mark Harmon) has his dukes up. The episode features the song "Nasty Little Perv" by Perry Farrell. Paula Newsome and Obba Babatundé guest star.

"Reaper," 8 p.m. (The CW): Sam (Bret Harrison) must send a boxer from the 1950s back to hell by climbing into the ring with him and delivering a knockout.

"How the Earth Was Made," 9 p.m. (History): The series explores the Atacama Desert in South America, the driest place on earth, with 50 times less humidity than Death Valley in California. Also, a look at bacteria living in the desert.

"Trust Me," 9 and 10 p.m. (TNT): At 9, the Mink Group finds itself front and center in a bidding war for a new energy drink. But a clandestine relationship could ruin everything. Meanwhile, Sarah (Monica Potter) joins a dating service, and Erin (Sarah Clarke) suspects Mason (Eric McCormack) has a roving eye and pays a surprise visit to the office. At 10, Conner (Tom Cavanagh) offers freelance work to a former partner who proves to be not quite right for the job.

"The Real Housewives of New York City," 10 p.m. (Bravo): The Hamptons is full of gossip about the countess, who is in the midst of preparing to send her daughter to boarding school and shunning Bethenny. Meanwhile, Jill tries to help Alex and Simon renovate their Brooklyn home.

The New York Times