WORTH NOTING ON TV

MONDAY

Fonda on Fonda (TNT, 8-9 p.m.): The late Henry Fonda's face had the great American look, a blend of grit and innocence that gave his film performances - as Mister Roberts, Tom Joad, Wyatt Earp, and so many others - a national resonance. In this documentary about the actor and the man, admirers like Katharine Hepburn and director Sidney Lumet reminisce about him, and there are unusual clips, like early ones of Fonda rehearsing with a stock company. The show's title refers not only to its host, Jane Fonda,

but to filmed comments by Henry Fonda on his own work. TUESDAY

Playwrights Theater (A&E cable, 9-10 p.m.): The play beginning this notable series' third season Hale the Hero is billed as "revisionist history," but I'd call it "what if" history. What if (in this case), Hale hadn't really been bent on patriotic martyrdom, but was actually a deserter who had to be wooed into his historic act during the Revolutionary War. The production is the first of four original one-act dramas being offered through April. This one stars Kevin Anderson in the title role and will be

hosted, for a second season, by Lauren Bacall.

'Today at 40' (NBC, 10-11 p.m.): Morning-magazine formats are now old hat on TV, but "Today" is the show that started it all - the laid-back hosts, the crazy mix of material from world news to cooking tips, the just-a-neighbor-dropping-in tone of guest stars. In this prime-time birthday party, there will be recollections by "Today old hands - including former anchors and the format's creator, Pat Weaver - as well as clips of the man who set the enduring tone: original host Dave Garroway.

Please check local listings for all programs, especially those on PBS.