WORTH NOTING ON TV

* THURSDAY

50 Years of Soaps: An All-Star Celebration (CBS, 8-10 p.m.): Some say watching soaps is punishment enough without having to watch a celebration of soaps - in prime time, yet. But this blowout should prove a big draw for the surprisingly wide range of fans who have become attached to this genre at some point during its long history on television.

A seemingly inexhaustible parade of stars - past and present - reminisce and congratulate each other. Clips recall memorable examples of ``daytime drama'' and trace the format's evolution. And the creators of several soaps get their day in the sun, a place usually occupied by the stars.

Conversations With the Rolling Stones (VH-1, 10-10:30 p.m.): In 1969, Maysles Films - Albert and his late brother David - made the controversial rock documentary ``Gimme Shelter,'' about the Rolling Stones's concert in Altamont, N.Y., which included an on-camera knife killing.

Cut to 25 years later: Maysles Films has done another Rolling Stones documentary. Produced in Toronto last July before the Stones began their current world tour, the new film includes interviews (shot in black and white to achieve a personal feel) by Albert Maysles with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Woods, and Charlie Watts. The show also offers color scenes of the band practicing for its ``Voodoo Lounge'' tour.

* SATURDAY

Are You Afraid of the Dark? (Nickelodeon, 7-8 p.m.): Charles Dutton, star of the former Fox series ``Roc,'' says he has his first sword fight since his Yale Drama School days in ``The Tale of Cutter's Treasure.'' And he gets to wear a gold tooth as pirate Captain Jonas Cutter, a grisly fellow who's been keeping watch on his treasures for a few centuries. In this tale, he faces young Rush Keegan, out to avenge Cutter's many victims.

It's all part of the Halloween special airing in the Saturday-night time block Nickelodeon calls ``Snick.'' Part of the fun is the special effects, including some vines that entrap Cutter and a collapsing cavern.

Please check local listings for these programs.