Triple-Feature ‘Law & Order’ Worth Watching

NBC counters the Nagano Olympic Games with a “Law & Order” triple-feature starting at 8.

The good news is that this is one of television’s best crime dramas. The bad news, for some at least, is that all three episodes are repeats. But they are the three shows that producers submitted for Emmy consideration last year when voting members of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored the series with TV’s gold medal over such tough competitors as “ER” and “NYPD Blue.”

In “Causa Mortis,” investigators try to apprehend and convict youths responsible for a fatal carjacking; “Mad Dog” is the story of a murder McCoy (Sam Waterston) believes was the work of a recently paroled serial rapist (Burt Young); “Terminal” involves a shooting spree at a posh fund-raiser, believed to be the work of anti-Semitic fanatics.

It was about time “Law & Order” won an Emmy for Best Drama. Its unique arrest-and-trial format, distinctive storytelling techniques and compelling performances - especially from guest stars - make it shine. And no series does a better job of adapting headline-making incidents into engaging fiction.

“Law & Order” is so good, these episodes are worth watching again.

Highlights

“Olympics,” CBS at 8: Events include figure skating (ladies’ short program); alpine skiing (men’s giant slalom); hockey (men’s report); cross-country skiing (men’s 4X10km relay). Late-night coverage begins at 12:35 a.m.

“Scientific American Frontiers,” KSPS at 7: Alan Alda explores “The Art of Science” in an entertaining hour that includes a fascinating demonstration of a “glass harmonica” invented by Benjamin Franklin and still widely played today. Alda visits with computer wizards who create “Alan 2.0,” a computer-generated version of the former “MASH” star. And you’ll meet musicians who take part in a “brain opera” with far-out electronic “hyperinstruments.”

“The Mask” (1994), FOX at 8: Jim Carrey stars in the blockbuster special-effects comedy about a bank clerk who becomes a supercool superhero when he discovers a magical mask.

“Ellen,” ABC at 9:30: In a first-run episode (the rest of ABC’s comedies tonight are repeats) Ellen (DeGeneres) has trouble with new neighbors (Marcelo Tubert, Jennifer Balgobin) whom she only seems to bump into in the most embarrassing situations.

“PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: Previously broadcast segments address prison inmates who have access to computer databases through telephone sales operations and the latest on what can be done for babies born without a developed gender.

Cable Calls

“Biography,” A&E at 5 and 9: The comic who turned being a loser into a gold mine is profiled in “Rodney Dangerfield: Respect at Last.”

He was born Jacob Cohen in 1921 and performed as Jack Roy for years in the Borscht Belt. He dropped out of show business for 11 years to sell aluminum siding before changing his name again and becoming a legitimate star.

Buddy Hackett, Jerry Stiller, Robert Klien, Tim Allen and Jim Carrey are among the comedians who show up to pay their respect.