What's On

PICK OF THE WEEK

Party of Five

Wednesday, Aug. 13 9-10 p.m. (Fox)

TV highlights for the week of August 10-16. All times are Eastern; check local listings. Ratings are listed for shows when available (see explanation box below).

SUNDAY - 8/10

Going Wild With Jeff Corwin (Disney, 7-7:30 p.m.): What better way to learn about the world's creatures than from your own personal scientist? Biologist Jeff Corwin travels the globe handling animals and explaining vegetation. In the debut, he visits the Florida Everglades and chats about crocodiles and coral snakes. A second episode follows.

Murder in the First (NBC, 8:30-11 p.m.): The network debut of this gritty 1995 Alcatraz movie gives viewers a chance to see Kevin Bacon in one of his most complex roles. Based on actual events, the film tells the compelling but violent story of a mistreated inmate (Bacon) driven to murder, and the rookie attorney (Christian Slater) assigned to defend him. (TV-14)

MONDAY - 8/11

Any Mother's Son (Lifetime, 9-11 p.m.): Bonnie Bedelia gives a strong performance as Dorothy Hajdys, who battles a Navy coverup after her son is killed in a gay-bashing incident. Bedelia is the best thing about this fact-based drama, which places more emphasis on weeping than solutions.

TUESDAY - 8/12

Bong and Donnell (HBO, 7-7:55 p.m.): This documentary traces a lifetime of friendship between two boys: an African-American (Donnell Green) and a wheel-chair bound Asian American (Bong Delrosario). The two friends grow up in Baltimore, going from video games to girls to making an award-winning film (about girls). Contains strong language. (TV-PG)

WEDNESDAY - 8/13

Party of Five (Fox, 9-10 p.m.): If you came late to the Party, here's your chance to catch up. This month, Fox is airing key episodes of the acclaimed family drama leading up to next season's premire. Tonight is a repeat of the 1994 pilot, which introduces the orphaned Salinger siblings. (TV-PG)

FRIDAY - 8/15

Elvis Presley's 1968 Comeback Special (VH1, 9-11 p.m.): Elvis Week on VH1 concludes with the program rated by TV Guide as television's 10th most memorable moment. The special, featuring favorites like "Heartbreak Hotel," marked the King's first live performance in eight years.

Check local listings for other Elvis events marking the 20th anniversary of his death. TNT covers the other part of Elvis's domain - Hollywood - with its 30-hour Elvis Remembered marathon. (midnight-Sunday, 5:30 a.m.). (TV-G)

Split Screen (Bravo, 10-midnight ): Calling all "hipsters and hillbillies." John Pierson's series about independent film begins with "Swing Blade," a parody of last year's independent films "Swingers" and "Sling Blade." Unfortunately, the concept is funnier than the skit. More successful are segments about director Errol Morris, whose "The Thin Blue Line" (1988) freed an innocent man, and Vermont filmmaker John O'Brien, who chronicled his neighbor Fred Tuttle's long-shot campaign for Congress.

SATURDAY - 8/16

The Practice (ABC, 10-11 p.m.): In this terrific repeat, Lindsay (Kelli Williams) prepares for every law student's nightmare: facing off in court against her former law professor (Edward Herrmann). (TV-14)

Remember WENN (AMC, 10-11 p.m.): Malcolm Gets ("Caroline in the City") guest-stars in the third-season opener of this nostalgic, well-written series set at a 1940s radio station.

TV-Y All Children

TV-Y7 Directed to Older Children

TV-G General Audience

TV-PG Parental Guidance Suggested

TV-14 Parents Strongly Cautioned

TV-M Mature Audience Only