Preview ’95 : And Now for Something <i> Really </i> Special

There’ll be the usual good-sized dose of awards shows this fall, with specials paying tribute to several legends (The Beatles, Jack Benny and Frank Sinatra) particularly notable.

In fact, the lineup of awards shows begins Sunday with the Emmys and their bevy of celebrity presenters--and winners.

Biographies will look at the lives of sports heroes as well as comedy, television and movie stars, with others exploring stars of the celestial kind.

Family specials range from retro nostalgia (Jonny Quest and the Mickey Mouse Club) to serious historial studies (children who were Holocaust victims).

And variety shows will serve up everything from abra cadabra magic to magical moments on ice. Plus there’ll be shows clipping together classic TV moments and looks at stars in their earliest roles.

AWARD SHOWS

“The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards”: Thirty-six teachers throughout the U.S. honored. Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Disney Channel.

“The Billboard Music Awards”: Live from New York. Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Fox.

“The Clio Awards”: Josie Bissett and Jon Cryer host this show honoring the best in advertising. November. Fox.

“29th Annual Country Music Assn. Awards”: Vince Gill hosts, live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. CBS.

“18th Annual Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts”: Five outstanding Americans honored. December. CBS.

“47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards”: Jason Alexander and Cybill Shepherd host. Sunday at 8 p.m. Fox.

BIOGRAPHIES

“The Life and Times of Gary Cooper”: Movie idol profiled. George C. Scott, Lloyd Bridges and Rhonda Fleming interviewed. Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. TNN.

“Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval”: A biography of the late Rod Serling, creator of the television series “The Twilight Zone.” Nov. 29, 9 p.m. KCET.

“The Life and Times of Conway Twitty”: The singer with 50 No. 1 songs who died in 1993 profiled. Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. TNN.

COMEDY

“Comic Relief VII”: Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams return as hosts for the event benefiting the homeless. Live. Nov. 11 TBA. HBO.

“HBO Comedy Half-Hour”: Jonathan Katz, Thursday at 10:30 p.m.; Janeane Garofolo, Sept. 21 at 10:30 p.m., and Carlos Mencia, Sept. 28 at 10:30 p.m. HBO.

“HBO Comedy Hour: Dana Carvey”: His first HBO solo special. October. TBA.

“Just for Laughs”: David Schwimmer hosts non-traditional comedy acts from the Montreal International Comedy Fest. TBA. Fox.

“Kelsey Grammer’s Salute to Jack Benny”: “Frasier’s” star recalls the comedian. November. NBC.

DOCUMENTARIES

“Arlington National Cemetery: A Mirror of America”: Historical and contemporary footage trace the evolution of an American landmark. Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. Disney Channel.

“Autopsy 2”: Forensic pathologists help crack crimminal investigations. November. TBA. HBO.

“The Best of Real Sex: The Dirty Dozen”: Highlights of the adult late-night series. October. TBA. HBO.

“Doubles: Japan and America’s Intercultural Children”: A look at the lives and experiences of the children born to American soldiers and Japanese women during the U.S. occupation of Japan after World War II. Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. KCET.

“Executing A.J.”: Profile of A.J. Bannister, a death-row convict. Nov. 18 at 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Discovery.

“Forbidden City”: 70th anniversary of the founding of the Palace Museum in Bejing. Nov. 5 at 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Discovery.

“Gandy Dancers”: A look at the musical traditions and verbal recollections of eight retired African American “gandy dancers,” railroad truck laborers whose occupational folk music was once heard along the railroad tracks that crisscross the South. Sept. 18 at 10:30 p.m. KCET.

“The Germans: Portrait of a New Nation”: Individuals and families from both former East and West Germany will be profiled in this documentary, which also includes commentary by leading public officials and experts. Sept. 29, 10 p.m. KCET.

“Inside the Republican Revolution”: A behind-the-scenes look at the political strategy and tactics of House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senate Majority leader Bob Dole, Minority Whip David Bonior and others. Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. KCET.

“Listening to Children: A Moral Journey With Robert Coles”: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author and child psychiatrist explores the lives of eight American children who struggle to make sense of a turbulent world. Sept. 22, 9 p.m. KCET.

“National Geographic Special: Cyclones?”: The violent and destructive inner world of tornadoes and hurricanes. November. NBC.

“On Jupiter”: A visit to Jupiter’s surface. Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Discovery.

“The People’s Plague: Tuberculosis in America”: Joe Mantegna narrates this documentary about the leading cause of death in 19th-Century America. Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. KCET.

“Sex, Teens, and Public Schools”: Jane Pauley hosts a program exploring teen pregnancy and the role that public schools can play in stemming the tide of unwanted pregnancy. Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. KCET.

“Taxicab Confessions 2”: Sequel to popular documentary returns to streets of Manhattan. December. TBA. HBO.

“Violence: An American Tradition”: Violence in America, the most violent nation in the industrialized world. October. TBA. HBO.

“We’re Having a Baby!”: Marilu Henner, expecting her second baby, hosts this show on celebrity moms and dads. Mary Lou Retton featured. TBA. ABC.

FAMILY

“Complete Pete”: “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” features seven hours, from noon to 7 p.m. of original vignettes from 1991, select episodes from the first two seasons culminating in the season premiere at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 on Nickelodeon.

“Global GUTS ‘Nickeloeon’s World Champion for Kids Special Olympics Edition’ ”: Three athletes compete. ET presents medals. Oct. 1, time TBA. Nickelodeon.

“Indian Summer”: Young Native American Indian teen’s self-discovery and acceptance of her culture. TBA, CBS.

“Jonny Quest Vs. Cyber Insects”: Hyped by TNT as “the last classic Quest,” the last appearance of the original Jonny Quest (a new version of Jonny will appear in fall, 1996), Jonny, his family and pals battle their arch-nemesis, Dr. Zin. Nov. 19 at 6 p.m., preceeded, Nov. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. by four hours of original “Jonny Quest” shows. TNT.

“The Mickey Mouse Club Story”: Documentary on the making of the original series. Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. Disney Channel.

“Peter and the Wolf”: The classic tale presented in animation and live action with Kirstie Alley, Lloyd Bridges and Ross Malinger. December. ABC.

“Through Their Eyes: Children Remember the Holocaust”: Experiences of five children who survived prison camps during the Holocaust. TBA, CBS.

HOLIDAY

“Christmas in Washington”: The 14th annual celebration from the nation’s capital. December. NBC.

Disney Channel Halloween: Programming preempted for 24 hours of Halloween fun including “Casper’s Halloween Special” at 1 p.m. and “Frankenweeie” at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 from 6 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. Disney Channel.

“An Edith Ann Christmas”: Lily Tomlin returns as the voice of the outspoken Edith Ann as she takes on the holidays. December. ABC.

“Jingle Bell Rock”: Animated special where the song comes to life. December. ABC.

“Kathie Lee Gifford’s All New Christmas Special”: Gifford and guests perform. December. CBS.

“Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas”: Yuletide greetings from the world of Jim Henson with Robert Downey Jr., Leslie Nielsen and Stockard Channing. December. CBS.

“Sam’s Place Christmas Special”: Gary Chapman hosts country and Christian artists including Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Alison Krauss and Hal Ketchum. Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. TNN.

MUSIC

“The Beatles Anthology”: Six-hour tribute over three nights to the Fab Four. Premiere of two songs, “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love,” two unreleased songs by John Lennon, to which the other three Beatles have added their voices and instrumentation. November. ABC.

“Boyz II Men: Going Home”: The four singers perform and are interviewed. Nov. 19 at 9 p.m. Disney Channel.

“Carlene Carter: Circle of Song III”: Guests TBA. Oct. 25, time TBA. TNN.

“Diamond Rio Celebrates Red Wing”: Vocal group of the year three times by Country Music Assn. Diamond Rio performs. Wednesday at 5 p.m. TNN.

“Indigo Girls in Concert”: Hits from the duo’s two albums. Oct. 15 at 9 p.m. Disney Channel.

“The Life and Times of Roy Acuff”: Beloved Opry performer (1903-1992) profiled. Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. TNN.

“The Marty Party”: Marty Stuart goes “rockin’ ” with Jerry Lee Lewis, The Mavericks and Steve Earle. Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. TNN.

“The Marty Party IV”: Johnny Cash and Alan Jackson join Marty Stuart. Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. TNN.

“Music for the Movies”: Three-part special on master composers. Bernard Herrman, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.; Toru Takemitsu, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.; Georges Delerue, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Bravo.

“People”: Animated musical celebration of global diversity. Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Disney Channel.

“Phyllis George Special”: Guests TBA. Sept. 20, time TBA. TNN.

“Ralph Emery on Record”: Guests TBA. Oct. 11, time TBA. TNN.

“R.E.M. Rough Cut”: The acclaimed Georgia rock band is highlighted in this documentary. Oct. 24 at 10 p.m. KCET.

“Sinatra: 80 Years My Way”: A tribute to Frank Sinatra on his 80th birthday. To be taped Nov. 19 at the Shrine Auditorium. TBA. ABC.

“Songs of the Homeland”: The story of the Mexican American experience in Texas is told through the region’s Tejano music. Sept. 10 at noon KCET.

“The Soul Train 25th Anniversary”: Highlights of a great train ride from Don Cornelius. November. TBA. CBS.

PAGEANTS

“The 75th Annual Miss America Pageant”: Live from Atlantic City. Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. NBC.

SPORTS

“Fairway to Heaven”: Top golfers are paired with music artists for charity. Nov. 11 and 12. Time TBA. VH1.

“Fox’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Skating Championships”: Top skaters compete to contemporary music. TBA. Fox.

“Six Days to Sunday”: Follows the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings preparation for the 1995 NFL season. Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. TNT.

World Series: Alternate coverage from ABC and NBC. ABC will cover Game 1 on Oct. 21, with NBC covering Games 2 and 3 on Oct. 22 and Oct. 24. Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) will air on ABC. If a sixth game is needed that will air on NBC. Game 7 will air Oct. 29, with the network TBA.

VARIETY

“Before They Were Stars”: Fourth installment features stars in commercials, bit parts, soaps and beauty pageants. TBA. ABC.

“Disney’s Champions on Ice”: Top skaters relive their greatest moments of victory in clips and in new production numbers. TBA. ABC.

“A Gala for the President at Ford’s Theatre”: President and Mrs. Clinton are guests of honor in this evening of comedy and music. Paul Reiser hosts. TBA. ABC.

“Planet Hollywood Comes Home”: The opening of the Beverly Hills branch. Star-studded. TBA. ABC.

“Robert Gallup Magic Special”: Taped in Las Vegas, Gallup performs dangerous illusions. TBA. Fox.

“Television’s Greatest Performances”: Showcase of TV’s greatest moments. TBA. ABC.

“The World’s Greatest Magic II”: Illusionists, levitation experts and psychics strut their stuff. November. NBC.