The first new "X-Files" episode in three weeks and the second new episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street" in a row are the shows to watch tonight. And there's no conflict of interest, because CBS pre-empts "Picket Fences."
* "In the Heat of the Night: Who Was Geli Bendl?" (9-11 p.m., Channel 11) -- Wasn't he a tennis player who couldn't win the U.S. Open? Actually, this is the title of a new two-hour "In the Heat of the Night" telemovie, with Carroll O'Connor still going strong as the Spartan sheriff. CBS.
* "The X-Files" (9-10 p.m., Channel 45) -- There's an interesting reason why tonight's "X-Files" is set in Wisconsin. It was the first part of a planned mutual-admiration cross-network plot device concocted by the writers of this Fox series and "Picket Fences."
The plan was to have strange events (involving cows and alien DNA) reported in Wisconsin, and investigated by David Duchovny's Mulder on "X-Files" -- then, in the very next hour on CBS, to have Duchovny pop up on "Picket Fences," still looking )) around in that series' fictional town of Rome, Wis. Reportedly, CBS wouldn't approve of the unusual (but not unprecedented) cooperative effort, so tonight the "X-Files" episode runs alone, and there's no "Picket Fences" on the schedule. Next week, though, the plot of "Picket Fences" has Sheriff Brock (Tom Skerritt) investigating a weird case involving genetic experiments with local cattle. Sadly, though, there will be no appearance by Mulder, who, once again, walks away empty-handed. Fox.
* "Homicide: Life on the Street" (10-11 p.m., Channel 2) -- Melissa Leo, who plays Howard, gets an episode in which she finally takes center stage -- even though it's away from the precinct house. NBC.
Cable
* "Grease" (8:05-10:20 p.m., TBS) -- How many comebacks can this musical be associated with? Currently, John Travolta, who stars with Olivia Newton-John in this movie, is hot again thanks to "Pulp Fiction." And Brooke Shields, now starring in the Rizzo role on Broadway, is doing something she hasn't done in her last five or so movies: acting.
* "Dennis Miller Live" (10-10:30 p.m., HBO) -- And you thought Dennis Miller ranted and raved: Tonight, Miller's guest is Henry Rollins, whose diatribes make Miller look like Mr. Peepers.
* "Thank God It's Friday" (10:20 p.m.-12:05 a.m., TBS) -- Not when this is on.