What's On

Pick of the Week

MOBY DICK

Sunday and Monday, March 15 and 16

8-10 p.m. (USA)

SATURDAY 3/14

50 Greatest Cartoons of All Time (Cartoon Network, 2-10 p.m.): The eight-hour marathon spans 80 years, from Hanna-Barbera's "The Flagstones" (1959), which launched "The Flintstones," to the Oscar-winning artistry of 1994's "Bob's Birthday." Other features include "Bambi Meets Godzilla" (1969), "What's Opera, Doc?" (1957), and "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor" (1936.)

SUNDAY 3/15

Biography - John Wayne (A&E, 8-10 p.m.): What is John Wayne's real name? Stumped? Then here is a reel lesson on an American icon born Marion Michael Morrison. For those who believe the world changed after Wayne starred in "Stagecoach" (1939), go ahead and bookmark this "true grit" biopic. Today kicks off a parade of Hollywood profiles Others on "Biography" this week are Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, and Jimmy Stewart. (TV-G)

Moby Dick (USA, 8-10 p.m.): A fabulous retelling of Herman Melville's classic tale of an obsessed whaling captain in pursuit of the white whale that once took his leg. Classically trained, Patrick Stewart illumines the dark crevices of Ahab's heart. Stewart is backed by an excellent cast including Henry Thomas as young Ishmael and Ted Levine as the conscientious Starbuck. Part 2 airs tomorrow at the same time. (TV-PG)

Waterworld (ABC, 9-11 p.m.): The 1995 epic starring Kevin Costner will be shown on network TV for the first time and will feature 40 minutes of previously unseen footage. Costner portrays Mariner, a man-fish who reluctantly helps human survivors search for Dryland after the polar icecaps melt and flood the earth. Part 2 airs Thursday at the same time. (TV-PG, V)

A Father for Brittany (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): What happens when a couple adopts a child and the wife dies before the adoption is finalized? That's the premise of this fact-based story starring Andrew McCarthy and Teri Polo. Kim (Polo) is anxious to adopt a child; her husband (McCarthy) isn't too excited about the prospect. When the baby arrives, he grows to love his new daughter. But after his wife dies, the adoption agency tries to take the child from him, and he fights to keep her. An emotional and heart-wrenching story. (TV-PG)

A Short History of Ireland (History Channel, 10-11:30 p.m.): For anyone looking for a minty glow on their TV screen this St. Patrick's Day, this brief yet engaging documentary is a good place to start. Also, "Riverdance: From New York City" airs Monday on PBS, and "The McCourts of Limerick" airs Tuesday on Cinemax.

TUESDAY 3/17

For Your Love (NBC, 8:30-9 p.m.): From the creator of "Living Single," this new midseason comedy focuses on love and marriage. The plot revolves around two married couples and one couple who is afraid of commitment. In the opener, after newlyweds Melena and Mel (Holly Robinson Peete, James Lesure) move into a house in suburban Chicago, Melena suspects she is pregnant. The show begins with a few good laughs but becomes sluggish midway through. (TV-PG)

THURSDAY 3/19

NCAA Basketball Tournament (CBS, 7:30-p.m.-12:30 a.m.): It's Sweet Sixteen now, and the frenzy is intensifying. As always with this tournament, expect the unexpected. After tomorrow's games, the competition will be down to four teams.