WORTH NOTING ON TV

* FRIDAY

Sinatra Duets (CBS, 10-11 p.m.): It's like hearing a duet in a time machine, the way this special mixes performance clips of Frank Sinatra singing classic numbers. You'll hear him doing ``Witchcraft,'' for instance, with Anita Baker, John Denver, and Elvis Presley in a sequence of gigs covering Sinatra's recording career.

That career has lasted 70 years so far, and this program samples a rich treasury of footage. New interviews with the artist were taped for this show, and some special film, not seen before, shows him recording with a 54-piece orchestra.

The special airs 10 days after the release of the CD ``Frank Sinatra Duets II,'' and music from it is featured.

* SUNDAY

The American Revolution (A&E, 8-10 p.m.): The History Channel doesn't debut until Jan. 1, but parent channel A&E wants to give viewers a taste of what to expect - hence this three-part miniseries about the War for American Independence.

Beginning with Episode 1, ``The Conflict Ignites,'' the program recreates those dramatic times in a format that uses period art, journals, original documents, and other historical memorabilia, as well as live re-enactments of famous battles.

The latter were filmed over the past year at Lexington and Concord, Mass., and other sites. Voiceovers of Founding Fathers are supplied by a list of well-known actors: Kelsey Grammer is Benedict Arnold; William Daniel is John Adams (a character he once portrayed very effectively in the Broadway musical ``1776''); and the voice of George Washington is Cliff Robertson's.

Historians - both British and American - help viewers understand the period and deal with some fascinating questions: Was the revolution a generational struggle? Did more women dressed as men fight in it than in any other war in history?

Bill Kurtis is the host. Parts 2 and 3 air Monday and Tuesday, from 8-10 p.m.

Please check local listings for these programs.