What's on TV

By M.S. Mason

Crossed Over (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): A woman who has lost her teenage son in a hit-and-run accident makes friends with death-row inmate Karla Faye Tucker (Jennifer Jason Leigh). This powerful story has some disturbing images - but they are included to demonstrate the enormity of Tucker's crime. Diane Keaton gives one of her finest performances as the generous Beverly Lowry, who helped Tucker face her punishment with courage.

Jeremiah (Showtime, 8-9:40 p.m.; then airs on Fridays at 10:45 p.m.): Near-future sci-fi buffs may find this new series starring Luke Perry mildly entertaining. Fifteen years after the end of the world (all adults died and young children inherited the earth), a new generation tries to remake a world from scratch.

Monica in Black and White (HBO, 10-11:40 p.m.): The newest installment of "America Undercover Sunday"makes everybody in the Lewinsky scandal look bad. Apparently nobody acted with conscience or compassion, and the law was manipulated. It's tiresome to watch Ms. Lewinsky cry about her ordeal. But it is a well-made, if melancholy, picture of recent history.

Biography: 15 Years and Counting (A&E, 8-10 p.m.): From Adam and Eve to Zorro, this fine documentary series has portrayed the lives of more than 1,000 subjects, most real, some legendary. This two-hour special celebrates the series' accomplishments.

Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon, 8-8:30 p.m.): In her first prime-time slot, Esai Morales plays Dora's Papi. The show teaches English and Spanish vocabulary.

The Directors: The Films of Oliver Stone (Encore, 7-8 p.m.): One of the most controversial of the popular filmmakers, Oliver Stone has always been blatantly political with films like "Platoon" and "Wall Street." Interviews with the filmmaker shed light on his motives and aspirations.

New York Firefighters: The Brotherhood of September 11 (Discovery Channel, 9-10 p.m.): This poignant documentary investigates the aftermath of the tragedy on firefighters and their families. Stockard Channing narrates.