What's On: Gossip Girl Gets A Duff

Hilary Duff begins her multi-episode arc on Gossip Girl tonight as your average A-list film star, looking to enroll in college, disappear into grungy dorm life and meet a handsome Dan Humphrey. But what happens when her diva co-star (played by Tyra Banks), who happens to be preparing for a role as Josephine Baker, follows her into town and befriends Serena? Whatever it is, it will surely spell trouble for Upper East Siders.

Gossip Girl [9 PM, CW]

Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) meets her new roommate, an actress named Olivia (Duff) who just wants a normal college life. Olvia's attempt at university immersion is not helped by her attention-hungry co-star Ursula (Tyra Banks), who drops into campus and befriends Serena (Blake Lively). Meanwhile, Jenny (Taylor Momsen) begins her work as queen bee with some unwanted assistance from Blair (Leighton Meester). Lily (Kelly Rutherford) finally returns home.

House [8 PM, Fox]

James Earl Jones guest-stars as a sick African dictator charged with crimes against humanity who arrives at the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) wants to end a long-term feud with a neighbor, but a prying House (Hugh Laurie) gets in the way. Your enjoyment of tonight's episode will be heightened if you caught any part of last night's premiere of Three Rivers, CBS's proof that the medical drama TV genre has found its limit.

Late Show With David Letterman [11:35 PM, CBS]

Guests: Steve Martin, Lea Michele, Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers. Tune in to the first show taped after Letterman's stunning admission last Thursday to see how the host deftly handles what may be remembered as a new period for Letterman's show.

Wonder Boys [10 PM, TMC]

The 2000 adaptation of Michael Chabon's sophomore novel Wonder Boys found much more success among critics and fans than this year's adaptation of the novelist's first work, Mysteries of Pittsburgh. Maybe, it had something to do Curtis Hanson's able direction, the chemistry between Michael Douglas, Katie Holmes and Tobey Maguire, its Oscar-winning soundtrack or maybe this novel was simply better suited for the screen.