Worth noting on TV

FRIDAY Laurence Olivier: A Life, Part II (PBS, 9-10:30 p.m.): ``Great Performances'' continues its revealingly candid biography of Lord O.

Mark Russell Comedy Special (PBS, 10:30-11 p.m.): TV's only political satirist pitches musical darts. SATURDAY

Newton's Apple (PBS, 7:30-8 p.m.): Astronaut Jeff Hoffman tells of his first voyage aboard the space shuttle in a segment of this first-rate science series. SUNDAY

The Ganges Gharial (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): Unique ``Nature'' segment, five years in the making, focuses on a fish-eating crocodile native to India.

North and South (ABC, 9-11 p.m., premi`ere of six-part miniseries, continuing Nov. 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10): Elaborate pre-Civil War drama filmed in authentic locations, based on John Jakes novel. A sequel is already in the works.

The Last Place on Earth (PBS, 9-10 p.m.): Third episode of ``Masterpiece Theatre'' revisionist series about the Scott-Amundsen race for the South Pole.

The Naked Gershwin (PBS, 10-11 p.m.): Blend of music by George Gershwin and words written about him by friends and admirers. MONDAY

Seal Morning, Part 1 (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): ``Wonderworks'' brings the family a heartwarming story of a sensitive young girl and her reclusive aunt,

who come to love and understand each other through mutual love of nature. TUESDAY

Dinosaur! (CBS, 8-9 p.m.): Narrator Christopher Reeve (Superman) queries paleontologists about the legends and truths concerning these creatures who disappeared 65 million years ago. Or did they?

Special Effects (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): ``Nova'' gets behind the scenes in Hollywood, focusing on ``Return of the Jedi,'' ``Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,'' and ``2010.''

Stone Pillow (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): Lucille Ball plays it straight as a New York City shopping-bag lady.

Notes on Nuclear War (PBS, 9-10 p.m.): Sixth installment of ``War: A Commentary by Gwynne Dyer,'' an antiwar look at war.

Newport Jazz 85 (PBS, 10-11 p.m.): Captures the excitement of the famous Newport Jazz Festival. WEDNESDAY

Don't Touch (CBS, 4-5 p.m.): ``Afterschool Special'' about child molestation, sensitively told.

Eater of Men (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): First in exciting new six-part series, ``River Journeys,'' in which six writers make six different water voyages. First is Christina Dodwell's white-water adventure in Papua New Guinea.

Andrea Doria: The Final Chapter (PBS, 9-10:30 p.m.): Peter Gimbel's underwater expedition to the sunken Italian vessel, including some salvage footage never seen before on TV. THURSDAY

Post War Hopes; Cold War Fears (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): Repeat of segment from one of TV's best historical documentaries ever, ``Walk Through the 20th Century With Bill Moyers.''

Please check local listings, since, especially in the case of PBS, local option sometimes results in different dates and times.