Worth Noting on TV

WEDNESDAY

Britannia: Palace at Sea (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): Spend an evening with the British monarchy, beginning with this well-done documentary that takes a peek inside the floating palace before the royal yacht hangs up its sails forever. Britannia is slated for retirement and will soon be left high and dry.

Edward on Edward (PBS, 9-11 p.m.): Get a royal perspective on King Edward VIII - the man who gave up the crown of England to marry American divorce Wallis Simpson. Prince Edward takes a hard look at his late great-uncle's life as the Duke of Windsor, including the Windsors' meeting with Adolf Hitler and the duke's petty requests for money and titles while England struggled under World War II. While Prince Edward dismisses rumors that the duke was a traitor, he doesn't have many kind words for him, calling his namesake "naive, selfish, and intransigent."

The duke is eventually packed off to the Caribbean to be governor of the Bahamas - rather "like being given a bicycle after owning a Bentley." The second half of the documentary focuses on the Windsors' lovely but empty postwar lives, dedicated to fun, frivolity, and the pursuit of fashion.

THURSDAY

CBS Reports (CBS, 9-10 p.m.): "Who's Getting Rich and Why Aren't You?" Now, that's a very good question. This show examines the forces putting the squeeze on the American middle class. More and more jobs are shifting overseas - and seem to be taking the American dream with them. A bright spot: Narrator Harry Smith looks at fields that are actually hungry for workers.

Seinfeld (NBC, 9-9:30 p.m.): This episode nabbed three of the comedy's 11 Emmy nominations, including one for writing, one for directing, and an inspired nod for guest actor Larry Thomas in his unforgettable role as "The Soup Nazi." Ordering a meal may never be the same again.

Please check local listings for these programs.