What's on TV

Shows worth noting for July 14-20

The following are not necessarily recommended by the Monitor. All times Eastern, check local listings.

Sunday 7/15

When Dinosaurs Roamed America (Discovery Channel, 8-10:30 p.m.): Ever wonder where the dinos of the mysterious 30-million-year era called the Cretaceous Period disappeared to? Well, this marvelous new animated feature uncovers their footprints, their bones, and their business. It's intended to appeal to those who are on their way to see "Jurassic Park III." John Goodman narrates.

Any Day Now (Lifetime, 10-11 p.m.): This remarkable series is about a friendship between an African-American woman and a white woman who have known each other since childhood. The fourth season opens with Mary Elizabeth (Annie Potts) becoming a grandmother and attorney Rene Jackson (Lorraine Toussaint) expanding her practice. The lives they lead are vastly different, but they support each other with authentic compassion.

Monday 7/16

Unwrapped (Food Network, 10:30 p.m., Mondays): Each week this new series will look behind the pop image of popular food to see what's going into our junk food. The first episode is a behind-the-scenes look at cereal. Those who like to know what's in their bowl will enjoy this quick history. It's not just for breakfast anymore.

RoboCop: Prime Directives (Sci-Fi, 9 p.m., continued Tuesday through Thursday as a miniseries): Too violent, too sentimental, and too silly, this miniseries about a cyborg (part machine, part man) offers very little in terms of plot. The only redeeming feature in the futuristic cop show is star Page Fletcher, who manages to convey genuine feeling through his robotic hardware.

AIDS in America (A&E, 10-11 p.m.): The AIDS crises continues, as a false sense of security leads to unprotected sexual activity. This investigative report avoids sensationalism as it reveals the complacency that results in dangerous behaviors.

Friday 7/20

The Lost World (TCM, 8-9:30 p.m.): Just in time for "Jurassic Park III" is this marvelous silent 1925 movie version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1912 novel. The film has been painstakingly restored from a few extant copies of the tale about an expedition to South America to find living dinosaurs. This restored version has never been seen on TV before, and the special effects are a kick. Sir Arthur himself appears in the first few minutes.

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor