What's on TV

SUNDAY 12/13

Grace & Glorie (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): Glorie (Diane Lane) is a sophisticated career woman living in New York; Grace (Gena Rowlands) is a feisty independent woman who enjoys tending garden at her country home. The two meet when Glorie becomes a hospice volunteer assigned to Grace. Their relationship is awkward at first, but as the drama unfolds Glorie and Grace become best buddies when they discover each other's hardships. (TV-PG)

MONDAY 12/14

Chicken Soup for the Soul (Pax TV, 9-10 p.m.): Talk-show host Leeza Gibbons narrates this often poignant, encouraging string of stories. What may surprise you is stars like Jack Lemmon, Paula Abdul, Martin Sheen, and Meredith Baxter have lent their considerable talents to this modest film. Though "Chicken Soup" tends toward the sentimental, it manages to feed the spirit of the season.

Investigative Reports

(A & E, 9-11 p.m.): Hosted by Bill Kurtis, this compelling and provocative report takes an in-depth look at the Church of Scientology - where it came from and where it's headed. It also examines the ongoing conflict between its critics in the media and elsewhere. The documentary features interviews with former and current members (such as actors John Travolta and Kirstie Alley), as well as spiritual leader David Miscavige, who has not spoken to the media in seven years.

TUESDAY 12/15

Great Christmas Movies (AMC, 10-11 p.m.): This tribute features clips from several dozen specials including "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Christmas Vacation." Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Tim Allen offer their favorites ("It's a Wonderful Life" gets the most votes.) (TV-G)

WEDNESDAY 12/16

The Kennedy Center Presents: Pagliacci (PBS, 9:30-11 p.m.): Placido Domingo gives a passionate performance as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci." The opera centers on a troupe of wandering clowns in the Italian countryside. This play-within-a-play is a heartbreaking tale of infidelity and murderous rage, with achingly beautiful music. Shown with English subtitles.

THURSDAY 12/17

Echoes From the Ancients (PBS, check local listings): High on information, low on intensity, this documentary digs out history from the ruins of the biblical village of Yodefat in ancient Galilee (present-day Israel). The walled city was never resettled after it was destroyed by the Romans in the 1st century. Some religious scholars believe Jesus may have visited Yodefat.