Sunday "Dexter" (9 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4), a bloody good cable series about a well-meaning serial killer (Michael C. Hall), gets toned down for the network debut, which is a little like broadcasting a boxing match without showing any of the punches. Blame the mismatch on the writers' strike, which forced CBS to look to its sister channel Showtime for material, no matter how inappropriate.

Monday The last time the Pussycat Dolls held a TV audition for a new member, the winner never ended up in the group. Maybe that explains why the sequel, "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" (8 p.m., WUCW, Ch. 23), only promises spots in a brand-new troupe called -- you guessed it -- Girlicious, which is the equivalent of a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni.

Tuesday Ray Davies, lead singer of the Kinks, would probably never make it past the audition round of "American Idol," but Randy Jackson had better keep his mouth shut while the legendary rocker performs as they both appear on "The Late Show With David Letterman" (10:35 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4).

Wednesday Enjoy a Broadway show with all the bathroom breaks you desire as "Great Performances" (8 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2) features the musical "Company," which includes such classic showstoppers as "The Ladies Who Lunch" and "Being Alive."

Thursday The gang from "Today" (7 a.m., KARE, Ch. 11) gets a working vacation as the show reports from the Sugarbush Resort in Vermont, while taking in the skiing and flatbread pizza. On Friday, "Today" heads for Miami, where Enrique Iglesias will perform on the beach.

NEAL JUSTIN