WORTH NOTING ON TV

* SUNDAY

Booknotes (C-Span, 8-9 p.m.): The guest is James McPherson, author of ``What They Fought For, 1861-1865.''

Masterpiece Theatre (PBS, 9-10:30 p.m.): The drama series' tribute to the 50th anniversary of D-Day is ``A Foreign Field.'' This nostalgic story - critically well-received in Great Britain - concerns an English veteran (Leo McKern) who takes a mentally troubled friend (Alec Guinness) to visit the grave of a wartime comrade in France.

In Normandy they bump into an American veteran (John Randolph,) and the Englishman realizes he and the American are looking for the same girlfriend from 50 years ago. A mysterious widow (Lauren Bacall) is also involved in the story. * MONDAY

8th Annual American Comedy Awards (ABC, 9-11 p.m.): Some of the awards shows on TV get a little ingrown.

How ... ingrown ... do they get?

Well, in this one, Billy Crystal is up for Funniest Male Performer in a Television Special - and the special cited is another awards show: the Oscars.

Crystal's nomination - and he doubtless has earned it - is one among many in a list of 14 categories reaching across both film and TV that includes specials, series, and more. If variety and talent among the presenters is any indication of a show's tone, this one may do pretty well. It boasts Candice Bergen, Lily Tomlin, Jonathan Winters, Joe Pesci, Chevy Chase, John Ritter, Mary Tyler Moore, Loni Anderson, John Larroquette, and a great many others.

Among the more emotional moments planned for the broadcast is Mary Tyler Moore's presenting former co-star Dick Van Dyke with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Another should occur when Mike Nichols, the Oscar-winning director, is handed this year's Creative Achievement Award by Bergen, who starred in his 1972 film ``Carnal Knowledge.''

Please check local listings for these programs.