WORTH NOTING ON TV
*TUESDAY
Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense (A&E, 8 p.m. EDT; 9 p.m. PDT): An insider's look at the man who kept moviegoers at the edge of their seats with such thrillers as ``The Birds,'' ``North by Northwest,'' ``Rear Window,'' and ``Psycho.'' Hitchcock started in England as an art director and screenwriter. After being lured to the United States, he soon found a niche for his genius. Suspense moviemaking would never be the same.
The program, hosted by Jack Perkins, features plenty of film clips and interviews with Hitchcock as well as those who worked with him and actors who starred in his movies - such as Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart. The several minutes devoted to his cameo appearances in his films are especially amusing.
Tabloid Truth: The Michael Jackson Scandal (PBS, 9-10 p.m.): ``Frontline'' rebroadcasts this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the television coverage of the Michael Jackson story - the people, organizations, and economic pressures that have led to the ``tabloidization'' of American television.
It started when a freelance reporter got an anonymous call saying that Michael Jackson was under investigation for child molestation. ``Within a matter of days, this story jumped from hard, verifiable news to spectacle and entertainment,'' says Frontline producer Tom Lennon.
Correspondent Richard Ben Cramer visits several of the most successful tabloid publications to give viewers insight into the way they work. *WEDNESDAY
Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years (A&E, 8 p.m. EDT; 9 p.m. PDT): A&E continues its biography series with a profile of Margaret Thatcher, who speaks frankly about politics and her 11 years at 10 Downing Street.
Tony Bennett, Unplugged
(MTV, 10-11 p.m.): Tony Bennett has made headlines recently as a comeback singer who has bridged the generation gap. Tonight the four-time Grammy winner performs some favorites as well as duets with popular singer-songwriters, including k.d. lang and Elvis Costello.
Please check local listings for these programs.