Series
"Mary Queen of Scots: Heroine or Harlot?" That's the title of a new edition of Biography (8 p.m. Fri., A&E). Enquiring minds want to know! Kate Hudson hosts Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m. Sat., NBC), with musical guest Radiohead. Last week's season opener was stunningly mediocre. Was Cheri Oteri such an integral part of the show that the whole thing has gone to hell without her? There was a whole summer of targets waiting to be parodied, but "SNL" missed them all. I mean, Jimmy Fallon and Eddie from "Big Brother" were separated at birth! A "Big Brother" skit would have been a no-brainer. Come on, people! Snap to it! On the weird and wonderful Ed (8 p.m. Sun., NBC), Ed enlists Carol's help in his defense of an elderly magician. Sex and the City (9 p.m. Sun., HBO) winds up its season. Will Carrie get back with Big, now that he's single again? Will Miranda catch a break? Will Charlotte ever be able to help Trey sustain a stiffie? Still, the problems of the "Sex and the City" girls pale in comparison to those of "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David in his impeccably nasty new sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm (9:30 p.m. Sun., HBO). On The Practice (10 p.m. Sun., ABC), Bobby gets surprising help from Helen when he appeals his client's murder conviction.
Specials
The documentary The American Nightmare (10 p.m. Fri., Independent Film Channel) looks at the indie horror films of the late '60s and early '70s ("Night of the Living Dead," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Last House on the Left") and the cultural upheavals that spawned them. Directors interviewed include George Romero, Tobe Hooper, David Cronenberg and Wes Craven. Now for something really scary: Donny and Marie Osmond sing a new "electronica" version of "There She Is, Miss America" on the Miss America Pageant (8 p.m. Sat., ABC). Mr. and Mrs. Cruise get down with their bad selves in the premium cable debut of Eyes Wide Shut (9 p.m. Sat., HBO). Her Highness Barbara Walters is profiled on a special two-hour Biography (8 p.m. Sun., A&E). Secret Service agent Daryl Hannah uncovers a plot to assassinate President Gregory Harrison in the new cable movie First Target (8 p.m. ET/7 PT, Sun., TBS).
Sports
Baseball:
American League Championship Series:
Yankees at Mariners (Game 3, 8 p.m. Fri., NBC; Game 4, 7:30 p.m. Sat., NBC; Game 5, if necessary, 4 p.m. Sun., NBC)
National League Championship Series:
Cardinals at Mets (Game 3, 4 p.m. Sat., Fox; Game 4, 7:30 p.m. Sun., Fox)
Football:
Falcons at Rams or Panthers at Saints (Noon, Sun., Fox)
Cowboys at Giants or Eagles at Cardinals (1 p.m. Sun., Fox)
Ravens at Redskins, Bengals at Steelers, Raiders at Chiefs or Chargers at Bills (1 p.m., Sun. CBS)
49ers at Packers (3 p.m. Sun., Fox)
Browns at Broncos, Colts at Seahawks or Jets at Patriots (4 p.m. Sun., CBS)
Vikings at Bears (8:30 p.m. Sun., ESPN)
Talk
Rosie O'Donnell (syndicated) Richard Gere, Leeza Gibbons
David Letterman (CBS) Mark Wahlberg, Incubus
Jay Leno (NBC) Drew Carey, Jessica Alba, Macy Gray
Chris Rock (HBO) Bill Maher, Limp Bizkit
Politically Incorrect (ABC) James Van Der Beek, Chris Hardwick
Conan O'Brien (NBC) Scott Thompson, Tim Meadows, Dandy Warhols
Craig Kilborn (CBS) Farrah Fawcett
All times Eastern unless noted.
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