The season premiere of 'Ugly Betty' on ABC is a Friday TV pick

'Ugly Betty'

Betty's back! In tonight's two-hour Season 4 premiere, Betty (the always wonderful America Ferrera) begins her new job as associate features editor at Mode magazine; Wilhelmina (the deliciously wicked Vanessa Williams) has a secret; and both Lynn Redgrave and Kristen Johnston guest star. 8 tonight, ABC (seattletimes.com/tvlistings).

Doug Knoop, Seattle Times staff

Also on today

"Law & Order," 8 p.m. (NBC): In this ripped-from-the-headlines story, a mother of 10 adopted children with special needs is found dead, leading to the discovery of an affair and a reality-show offer.

"Now on PBS," 8:30 p.m. (KCTS): By 2020, an anticipated shortage of nearly 500,000 nurses is expected to translate into substandard treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients.

"Dog Whisperer," 9 p.m. (National Geographic): Cesar Millan applies his brand of behavioral therapy to a couple of dog owners in this episode, starting with Mary Jane, who may have transferred her troubles with chronic pain and stress to her Lab-mastiff mix, Cujo.

"Monk," 9 p.m. (USA): Natalie (Traylor Howard) plans a surprise birthday party for Monk, who is preoccupied with investigating the weird death of a maintenance worker.

"Secrets of the Lost Symbol," 9 p.m. (NBC): Dan Brown ("The Da Vinci Code") sits down with Matt Lauer to discuss his new book, "The Lost Symbol"; the beliefs of the Freemasons; the power of the mind; whether people can become gods; and the little-known science that may link these things.

"Lobstermen," 10 p.m. (Discovery): Another season of sweaty men battling crustaceans with giant claws, all while bracing themselves on stormy seas.

The New York Times