CBS brings out new ‘Helter Skelter’

There’s no mystery why CBS remade “Helter Skelter” as a three-hour movie that airs Sunday night at 8. It’s right in the press release for the show: Back in 1976, the original was watched in more than a third of Nielsen households, and it remains the highest-rated two-part TV movie ever.

CBS must hope that America’s fascination with the so-called Manson Family’s horrific crimes remains strong, though they’re not nearly so fresh in our minds.

Last time, the focus was on the investigation of the Tate-LaBianca murders that terrified Los Angeles in 1969. This time, the film is once again based on the book by prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, but the focus is on Charlie Manson and how he made his followers do his bidding.

Jeremy Davies (“Spanking the Monkey,” “Saving Private Ryan”) stars as Manson, and Bruno Kirby is Bugliosi.

Rest assured, this story drenched in sex, drugs and unimaginable brutality won’t be for the kiddies. And if you say there’s no good reason to have remade it at all, well, no argument here.

Nonetheless, students of the media may want to watch for the content issue.

The production has been in the works for some time, with the producers no doubt planning to take advantage of more liberal network standards on sex, violence and even language. But then Janet Jackson had her wardrobe malfunction, and in the past few months the entire climate has changed.

The Federal Communications Commission is cracking down on indecency, and many broadcasters have been cleaning up their content. It will be interesting to see just how much of the sex, drugs and brutality remain.

Highlights

“48 Hours Investigates,” CBS tonight at 8: Hunt for a musician’s killer.

“Law & Order” repeats, NBC tonight at 8: One from each of the three arms of the franchise.

“Swordfish,” CBS tonight at 9: John Travolta, Hugh Jackman and more in a cyber-thriller that had as its main drawing point a scene with Halle Berry that you won’t see on CBS anyway.

“MAD TV,” Fox tonight at 11: Tom Bergeron guests.

“Saturday Night Live,” NBC tonight at 11:30: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen host with musical guest J-Kwon.

“60 Minutes,” CBS Sunday at 7.

“King of the Hill,” Fox Sunday at 7: First a repeat in which Peggy takes a tutoring job in Mexico, followed at 7:30 by a new episode in which Kahn snaps and decides to become a “redneck” like Hank and his friends. But, of course, he overdoes it.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” ABC Sunday at 8: Eliminating mold from the home of an asthmatic teenager.

“The Simpsons,” Fox Sunday at 8: Bart accidentally moons the American flag, and Homer says he hates America on national TV. Needless to say, this is not well-received.

A second episode, a repeat with Bart going to juvie, airs at 9:30.

“That 70s Show,” Fox Sunday at 8:30: As Eric and Donna’s wedding approaches, bachelor-party episode brings the return of Casey Kelso.

“Super Millionaire,” ABC Sunday at 9: Regis is back, this time bringing a $10 million prize.

“Malcolm in the Middle,” Fox Sunday at 9: Part 1 of the season finale. Hal refuses to cooperate with the FBI and ends up under house arrest for alleged insider trading. And Reese catches his girlfriend cheating with Malcolm, so he runs away and joins the Army.

“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” NBC Sunday at 9: What’s that doctor doing to his elderly patients?

“Masterpiece Theatre,” KSPS Sunday at 8: “Prime Suspect 2” finds race a factor for Inspector Jane Tennison in the case she’s investigating, and in her personal life. Helen Mirren is terrific.

“The Practice,” ABC Sunday at 10: Ironically, after eight seasons of this Boston-based lawyer series, the final episode is called “Cheers.” Perhaps Bobby Donnell and friends will all repair there for a drink after the firm closes.

But what you’re really seeing here is the premiere of a new legal series, starring this spring’s stalwarts — James Spader, Rebecca DeMornay and, gulp, William Shatner.

“Crossing Jordan,” NBC Sunday at 10: Jane accidentally kills the man who attacked her.

Family Fare

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” ABC tonight at 8: The third movie in the series is about to be released, so why not revisit the first. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson star, along with a bunch of big-name Brit actors.

Cable Cast

NASCAR racing, FX today at 4:30: The Nextel Cup Chevy American Revolution 400, live from Richmond, Va.

“28 Days Later,” HBO tonight at 8: Grim but exciting horror flick from Danny Boyle, as a virus turns humans into killer zombies, and London into a ghost town.

“Prizzi’s Honor,” WE tonight at 5: Haven’t seen this one in a while. Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner are the pro killers who fall for each other.

Director John Huston’s daughter Anjelica, Nicholson’s ex, plays, well, Nicholson’s ex, for which she won the best supporting actress Oscar.

“Lewis Black: Black on Broadway,” HBO tonight at 10: The “Daily Show” misanthrope’s comedy special is not to be missed.

“The Sopranos,” HBO Sunday at 9: Tony treats himself to a night on the town.

“Deadwood,” HBO Sunday at 10: Time to form a government?