What's On TV

Shows worth noting for JUNE 5-11

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

SATURDAY 6/5

French Open (NBC, 12 noon- 3 p.m.): There rarely is a dearth of excitement on the red clay at the Roland Garros stadium. This year it's been the resurgence of seasoned players Andre Agassi, Andrei Medvedev, and Steffi Graf. Today, at the mecca of long rallies the women's final will be played followed by the men's tomorrow.

Safe Night USA (PBS and BET, 9-10 p.m.): PBS and BET have teamed up to simultaneously air "Safe Night USA" parties across the country in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Milwaukee where teens learn alternatives to violence and conflict. Hosts Doug E. Doug, Fran Tolliver, and Wayne Brady are joined by other celebrities for musical and comedy segments to spread messages of peace.

SUNDAY 6/6

That Championship Season (Showtime, 8-10 p.m.): A cheerful reunion turns into a relationship nightmare for five friends who won the state high school basketball championship 20 years ago. Each one brings their problems to the party in this intense drama told and based on Jason Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Broadway 99: Launching the Tony Awards (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): This live presentation of 10 Tonys honors the best of Broadway including awards for directors of a play and musical; choreography, book of a musical, costumes, and orchestrations.

Tony Awards (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): Judi Dench has a shot at a Tony for "Amy's View," and frontrunners for Best Actor in a Play are Kevin Spacey ("The Iceman Cometh") and Brian Dennehy ("Death of a Salesman"). Presenters include David Hyde Pierce and Calista Flockhart (see story above).

TUESDAY 6/8

Stanley Cup Championship (Fox, 8-11 p.m.): The coolest game on Earth skates to its season finale when Buffalo takes on the Colorado-Dallas winner - tied 3-3 before Friday's game - in the best-of-seven championship series.

WEDNESDAY 6/9

Biography (A&E, 8-9 p.m.): Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the man who might be president, is profiled in this one-hour special.

Bill Moyers Special: Free Speech for Sale (PBS, 10-11 p.m.): Money talks, but does it have First Amendment rights? Another excellent documentary by Moyers investigates corporate purchase of public opinion. Moyers asks why Congress gave away billions of taxpayers' dollars through the Telecommunications Act. Is big money skewing the democratic process? Scary stuff, riveting journalism.

THURSDAY 6/10

MTV Movie Awards (MTV, 9-11 p.m.): Taped in Santa Monica, Calif., the eighth annual offbeat award show spoofs and salutes the best from 1998 films in categories such as "Best Kiss" and "Best Fight." Lisa Kudrow hosts; presenters include Jennifer Lopez and Keanu Reeves.

FRIDAY 6/11

Today (NBC, 7-9 a.m.): Latin sensation Ricky Martin peforms on the show's fifth summer concert series with his hit "Livin' La Vida Loca" on the outdoor stage.