What's On TV

Shows worth noting for June 19 - 25

Listings are not necessarily recommended by the Monitor. All times Eastern, check local listings.

SATURDAY 6/19

Royal Wedding (TLC, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.): Billed as "the last royal wedding of the millennium," Prince Edward (youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip), will wed public-relations executive Sophie Rhys-Jones. The Learning Channel will air a simulcast of the BBC's coverage, from the couple's arrival at St. George's Chapel to their departure for a formal reception at Windsor Castle.

Women's World Cup (ABC, 3-5 p.m.): Most of the world gets a kick out of soccer. It's the universe's most popular sport. Now the US stages the biggest women's sporting event ever. It plays from June 19 to July 10 at eight sites around the country, with the hosts as favorites.

Beggars and Choosers (Showtime, 10-11:30 p.m.): This is about television: the ratings, programming, competition. A fledgling network sees its popularity soar because of a Thoreau-esque series that's critical of consumerism. It's a scenario that pits the advertiser against the idealist. This new series is insightful and warmly funny, but there's some unnecessary nudity.

SUNDAY 6/20

Pirates of Silicon Valley (TNT, 8-10 p.m.): The parallel stories of Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) are a gripping tale - though it's somewhat biased against Jobs (see story above).

MONDAY 6/21

Zoboomafoo (PBS, 6-6:30 a.m.): From the creators of "Kratts' Creatures" comes a fun new wildlife series for preschoolers. It stars Martin Kratt, Chris Kratt, and a playful lemur named Zoboomafoo. The opener teaches children the challenges of caring for a pet.

Wimbledon Tennis Championships (HBO, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.): The greenest and most hallowed of tennis events is expected to serve keen competition, besides rain and strawberries and cream.

The Count of Monte Cristo (Bravo, 8-10 p.m.): An exciting French miniseries (with English subtitles) based on the 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas. It stars Gerard Depardieu in the title role. Part 1 of 4; series continues June 22-24 (see story above).

TUESDAY 6/22

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child - The Three Little Pigs (HBO, 8-8:30 p.m.): This charming animated series presents a rainbow of little girl pigs who defeat the mighty wolf with a bit of wisdom and some martial arts. The witty retelling features a number of contemporary lessons about self-esteem, independence, and the relative nature of beauty. Robert Guillaume stars as the narrator and Loretta Lynn as a country-western singing pig.

WEDNESDAY 6/23

Judgment Day: The Ellie Nesler Story (USA, 9-11 p.m.): Christine Lahti stars as Ellie Nesler in a true story about a women who killed a Sunday school teacher after learning that he molested her young son.