What's on TV

Saturday 5/26

Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Showtime, 8-9:45 p.m.): Neil Simon wrote for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows," and this poignant comic drama reflects that wild and wonderful '50s show, sporting more one-liners than a comedy shop on Saturday night. Nathan Lane stars as the Caesar figure. But the whole cast sparkles. Some adult language. Following the comedy is "Hail Sid Caesar! The Golden Age of Comedy," a documentary celebrating the likes of Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, and Imogene Coca, to name a few - all of whom wrote for Caesar.

Sunday 5/27

Korean War Stories (PBS, check local listings): Hosted by the venerable newsman Walter Cronkite, this moving documentary engages with a forgotten war - some say, a forgotten victory. Among the 30 Korean War veterans are national heroes like Buzz Aldrin, James A. Baker III, and John Glenn. These articulate men and their brethren explain both the national dismay over the war and their own commitment to freedom.

Monday 5/28

Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids (History Channel, 9-11 p.m., Part II on Tuesday): A fine documentary with new material on an ancient topic. See story, page 20.

Friday 6/1

Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days (AMC, 8-10 p.m.): For those who found CBS's "Blonde" interesting, this documentary is less sensational and more revealing. It also includes 37 minutes of never-before-seen footage of Marilyn's final film, "Something's Gotta Give."

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor