A&E; explores desires in ancient times; MTV awards favored videos; HBO’s ‘Felon’ at large

Sunday

NFL Football / 10 a.m. NBC, Fox

After a rough-and-tumble preseason in which key quarterbacks--including Kerry Collins and Mark Brunell--were seriously injured, the games now will be played for real. NBC kicks things off with a doubleheader, while Fox carries Dallas at Pittsburgh. At 5 p.m., the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers hook up on TNT. And on “Monday Night Football,” the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears.

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“Love in the Ancient World” / 5 and 9 p.m. A&E;

What did incest, polygamy and pornography mean to ancient civilizations? What were their taboos or greatest desires? And how were those desires kept in check? Kathleen Turner, who showed us how to love ‘em and spurn ‘em in “Body Heat” and other sensual films, is host and narrator of this look at love in an exotic world with “rules and values often very different from our own.”

Monday

“Time to Say Goodbye?” / 9 p.m. Lifetime

Assisted suicide is the subject of this TV movie inspired by actual events. Richard Kiley stars as Gerry Klooster, a doctor with Alzheimer’s who wants his wife (Eva Marie Saint) to help end his life with dignity whenever the disease finally overcomes him. But when Klooster’s youngest son misinterprets that last wish, he begins an extensive court battle in a bid to gain custody.

Wednesday

“steve.oedekerk.com” / 8 p.m. NBC

Oedekerk was a stand-up comedian who had the good fortune of working with Jim Carrey on “In Living Color,” which led to assignments as writer-director of “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” and “Nothing to Lose.” In this FX-driven special, he sets up a comic Web site and offers cyber-sketches with Stephen Root (“NewsRadio”), Fred Willard and Peter Graves. Part of the show is set in a virtual cafe where Oedekerk does his routine before an audience of animated customers.

Thursday

“1997 MTV Video Music Awards” / 8 p.m. MTV

Raucous Chris Rock hosts the 14th annual event at Radio City Music Hall. The British group Jamiroquai leads the field with 10 nominations, including best video and best new artist for “Virtual Insanity.” Beck and Nine Inch Nails follow with seven and five nominations, respectively. Jamiroquai, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, the Wallflowers, Beck, Spice Girls and U2 are among the performers. Rapper LL Cool J will receive the Video Vanguard Award.

Friday

“Good Morning America” / 7 a.m. ABC

They won’t have Joan Lunden to kick around anymore. The longest-running co-host on early morning TV, Lunden makes her farewell appearance on “GMA,” which she joined in 1976. She became an anchor in 1980 and led the program to dominant ratings until it was overtaken in 1996 by NBC’s “Today” show. During those 17 years as co-host, Lunden circled the globe, covering a variety of historic events and interviewing prominent newsmakers of the day. Next stop is prime time, where she will continue to work on various specials.

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“Attenborough in Paradise” / 9 p.m. KCET

Naturalist David Attenborough travels to New Guinea for a rare look at beguiling birds of paradise. Beacuse our feathered friends are so shy and have chosen mating grounds in dimly lit corners of the forest, they have managed to elude photographers in the past. But Attenborough (who spent four weeks in the rain forest) features pictures of the colorful creatures, including the black sicklebill, which displays its plumage before dawn.

Saturday

“First-Time Felon” / 9 p.m. HBO

The language is profane, but the theme of redemption is absorbing and worth telling in this movie based on the story of a convicted drug dealer (Omar Epps) who trades his prison sentence for a four-month stay in a military-style boot camp. The film follows Epps (whom “ER” viewers will recall as the suicidal Dr. Gant) as he matures from tough gang banger to unselfish hero, one of many inmates to save an Illinois town from the devastating 1993 floods along the Mississippi. Delroy Lindo, Rachel Ticotin and William Forsythe round out a good supporting cast.