Worth Noting on TV

WEDNESDAY

American Masters' Nichols and May - Take Two (PBS, 10-11 p.m.): Thirty-four years later, the satirical humor of Mike Nichols and Elaine May still sparkles with intelligence and freshness. American Masters' retrospective of the innovative comedy duo (who recently reunited to direct and write this year's hit movie "The Birdcage") looks back at previously unreleased live footage, newly animated radio shorts, and classic shorts including a rocket scientist who is sent spinning out of orbit by a phone call from his mother, and two teens on a first date. Those who lament the lack of quality programming on TV will enjoy May's special Emmy - awarded to those producers who excel at turning out "total garbage." Tom Brokaw, Steve Allen, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams share their memories in this well-done tribute.

Daytime Emmy Awards (CBS, 9-11 p.m.): New York's Radio City Music Hall is home to the 23rd annual Emmy awards honoring all walks of daytime television. Hosted by Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braedon of "The Young and the Restless," the show features entertainment by the Rockettes and magician David Copperfield. Talk-show pioneer Phil Donahue will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award; and, who knows? This could be the year Susan Lucci, up for her 16th nomination as Lead Actress (she plays Erica Kane in "All My Children"), finally breaks her winless streak.

Thursday

Cronkite Remembers (CBS, 8-10 p.m.): Legendary newscaster Walter Cronkite tells the way it was from the Vietnam War to the Beatles in this introspective program that highlights his 20 years of broadcast journalism.

FRIDAY

Due South (CBS, 9-10 p.m.) The amusing season-ender, written by actor Paul Gross (Canadian Mountie Fraser), finds the modern-day Dudley Do-Right and Vecchio, his Chicago-cop partner, at odds over Fraser's heroics, which put the two front and center in the media's eye.

Please check local listings for these programs.