Dec. 4: What's on HDTV Today

What we're watching: After a full day of football in high-def on the major networks, we're settling down with some drama and some real-life HD programming. After the presidential elections on "The West Wing" a few weeks back, we'll see how this helped Jimmy Smits at 8 p.m. tonight. NBC has the broadcast in 1080i and Smits has some challenges on a decision to visit an African-American community where a boy was shot by a Latino police officer.

Following that, I'll make the jump to CBS for Part One of "Pope John Paul II" in 1080i at 9 p.m. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the story of how Karol Wojtyla grew up to lead the Roman Catholic church is an amazing one. Tonight focuses on his younger years around the time of the Nazi occupation of Poland; a time which shaped his decisions to become a priest.

After the jump is our traditional listing of HD programs throughout the night.

Here are some other HDTV programs showing on selected networks today. All times are Eastern:

ABC (720p): Desperate Housewives (9 p.m.), Grey's Anatomy (10 p.m.)

CBS (1080i): Cold Case (8 p.m.), Pope John Paul II [Part 1] (9 p.m.)

NBC (1080i): West Wing (8 p.m.), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (9 p.m.), Crossing Jordan (10 p.m.)

Fox (720p): War at Home (8:30 p.m.), American Dad (9:30 p.m.)

UPN (1080i): No HD programming

WB (1080i): What I Like About You (6 p.m.), Twins (6:30 p.m.)

Showtime-HD(1080i): Edge of America (6 p.m.), The Manchurian Candidate (7:45 p.m.), Sleeper Cell (10 & 11 p.m.)