- "Patch Adams" (1998), 8 p.m., ABC. Robin Williams is charming as "Patch" Adams, a Virginia student doctor who believes that laughter is the best medicine.
The year is 1971 and Adams' whimsical bedside manner is in stark contrast to the cold and impersonal demeanor of most of his colleagues. While Adams' antics make him popular with the patients, his behavior infuriates the rigid medical-school dean (Bob Gunton) and threatens to destroy the promising young doctor's career. Directed by Tom Shadyac ("Liar Liar"), the 1998 comedy-drama is based on Dr. Hunter Adams' book, "Gesundheit: Good Health Is a Laughing Matter."
- "Stuart Little," premiere, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., HBO Family. Here is a pleasant cartoon variation on the books and movies. Today, Stuart tries to burglarproof the home.
- "Touched by an Angel," 8 p.m., CBS. The angels scurry to help an inventor fulfill his dream before he dies.
- "The District," 9 p.m., CBS. A stolen BMW crashes. Inside, police find an ex-convict's body and $180,000.
- "Trading Spaces," 9 p.m., TLC. This new episode involves the home of Teddy (a keyboardist for Alice Cooper's band) and Lisa. Their living room will be remodeled while they're out.
- "Counterstrike," 7 p.m., TBS. The leaders of the United States and China plan a summit meeting aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, which must have the worst security clearance procedures in history. Soon, their lives depend on two relentlessly handsome brothers (Rob Estes and Joe Lando) and a spectacularly beautiful security chief (Rachel Blakely). "Counterstrike" is silly, but it has high-adrenaline action and keeps us watching.
- "My Big Fat Greek Life," 8 p.m., CBS. After Monday's premiere, the show based on last year's sleeper "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" takes its regular time slot.
- "The Simpsons," 8 p.m., Fox. The widowed Ned Flanders romances a visiting movie star (voiced by Marisa Tomei).
- "Six Feet Under," 9 p.m., HBO. This terrific series starts its third season with instant impact.
The basic form is unchanged: We see a death first with the name written gravestone-style. Then we visit the Fisher funeral home, where the late Nathan Fisher appears in the daydreams of his son, Nate Jr. (Peter Krause), who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The less you know in advance about tonight's episode the better. It starts powerfully, so stick with it.
- "Salem Witch Trials," 9-11 p.m., CBS miniseries that concludes Tuesday. It was a mistake to spread this historical drama over four hours. The dark mood and setting simply lacks variety. But the story of witches and death remains fascinating -- even four centuries later. Tuesday's strong finale is worth waiting for. Kirstie Alley, Gloria Ruben, Peter Ustinov and Shirley MacLaine star.
- "Building the Great Pyramid," 9 p.m., Discovery Channel. This documentary uses elaborate re-enactments and even has the story narrated by a fictional pyramid worker. The result is fairly interesting.
- "Queer as Folk," 10 p.m., Showtime. The third season begins for this series, which is set among gay friends in Pittsburgh.