WORTH NOTING ON TV

* FRIDAY

Modern China's Cultural Revolution (CNNI on cable and satellite systems, 10:30-11 a.m., EDT): News reports from China these days tend to feature protesters in detention or slave-labor issues. But behind these items something less obvious is happening.

According to this CNN International special, the social and cultural life of China is coming out from under Communist control. The nation is moving toward a market economy, and all kinds of people are rushing to fill the demand. Former CNN Beijing bureau chief Mike Chinoy talks with filmmakers, rock artists, actors, and others to illustrate how people are responding to this new dynamic in the society.

Among those profiled are award-winning filmmaker Zhang Yimou and underground moviemaker Zhang Yuan. The program also looks at punk rocker He Yong and protest singer Cui Jian. (Yes, China now manages to accommodate both these distinctly noncommunist types).

...talking with David Frost

(PBS, 10-11 p.m.): This week the chatty British interviewer went behind Serb lines by military escort and persuaded Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to have a lengthy talk. At a crucial time in the Bosnian conflict, the two discuss options for peace and other key issues.

* SUNDAY

Kris Kristofferson: Songwriter (The Disney Channel, 9-10 p.m.): This closeup documentary looks at one of the country's best-known songwriters. He's a man of many parts - actor, activist, Rhodes scholar - but in this case he returns to Nashville to revisit old hangouts connected with his song writing.

One site is the small apartment where he wrote ''Me and Bobby McGee.'' He shows viewers the record company where he worked - as a janitor - because he knew he'd have access to some music stars.

Kristofferson performs some of his songs, like ''McGee'' and ''For the Good Times.'' And he talks about influences on his work, including unexpected ones like the poet William Blake and the Italian film actress Guiletta Masina.

Please check local listings for these programs.