Worth Noting on TV

WEDNESDAY

Triumph of the Nerds: the Rise of Accidental Empires in Silicon Valley (PBS, 8-11 p.m.): Garages, industrial parks, and convenience stores aren't usually the locales for revolution. But that's just what they turned out to be for the pioneers of the personal computer age - those young amateurs, hippies, and self-proclaimed nerds who brought us the future in the San Francisco Bay area. This program retraces the birth and growth of the PC industry, featuring interviews with Microsoft's Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and Apple founder Steve Jobs. The program was inspired by Bob Cringely's book "Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date." Cringely, dubbed a former nerd himself, also wrote and hosts this documentary.

1996 NBA Finals (NBC, 9-11:30 p.m. EDT): Game 4 of basketball's best-of-seven championship. Seattle SuperSonics vs. Chicago Bulls at Seattle's KeyArena.

Inside the Actors Studio (Bravo, 10-11 p.m.): Academy Award-winner Jessica Lange is featured in this installment of the series in which guests discuss the art of acting. Lange focuses on her portrayal of tragic heroines such as Patsy Cline.

THURSDAY

Stanley Cup Championship (ESPN, 8-11 p.m. EDT): Game 5 (if necessary) of hockey's best-of-seven finals. Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers, at Denver.

FRIDAY

1996 NBA Finals (NBC, 9-11:30 p.m. EDT): Game 5 (if necessary), Seattle SuperSonics vs. Chicago Bulls, at Seattle's KeyArena.

Please check local listings for these programs.