Groovin’ on soulful tunes on VH1 and the original Motown sounds on ABC; a dog’s world

Sunday

“Bravo Profiles” / 5 and 10:05 p.m. Bravo

“I’m not an original thinker. What I am probably best at doing is synthesizing those things in society that I find riveting and exciting.” So says singer David Bowie, who has reinvented himself on various occasions since scoring his first hit, “Space Oddity,” in 1969. In this new profile, the 51-year-old singer talks about past collaborators (including producer Brian Eno) and his present standing as one of rock’s elder statesmen.

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“6 Days of Soul” / 4 p.m. VH1

There’s more music--and lots of it--on MTV’s sister channel, which offers a week of grooves from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Toni Braxton and Lionel Richie. Sunday’s highlight is a “Behind the Music” profile of Gladys Knight, who reflects on her gambling addiction, three failed marriages and professional setbacks. On Wednesday at 8 p.m., “Luther Vandross: Always and Forever” pairs the balladeer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

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“Motown 40: The Music Is Forever” / 9 p.m. ABC. Concludes 9 p.m. Thursday

The rich history of Berry Gordy’s entertainment empire unfolds in a four-hour retrospective filled with the distinctive Motown sound. Diana Ross, who ascended to ‘60s superstardom with the Supremes, is host of the two-night special featuring a mix of photos, performance footage and interviews with contemporary artists discussing the influence of such consummate artists as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, the Miracles and Four Tops.

Monday

“Private Screenings: Charlton Heston” / 5 and 10 p.m. TCM

He parted the Red Sea, painted the Sistine Chapel and ran the greatest show on Earth. Charlton Heston now opens the second season of this Turner Classic Movies series hosted by Robert Osborne. Heston, who recently had a cameo on “Friends,” chats about his distinguished career, which began with a professional film debut in 1950. “Ben-Hur,” airing at 6 p.m., is the first of 18 Heston films airing throughout the week.

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Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show / 8 p.m. USA. Concludes 8 p.m. Tuesday

The Super Bowl of canine cavalcades, which earned its highest ratings to date in 1997, crowns the top dog among 2,500 prized pooches descending upon Madison Square Garden. There’s nary a mutt in sight as judges evaluate the working, terrier, toy and nonsporting breeds on Monday, while sporting, hound and herding breeds step into the spotlight Tuesday. Last year, a standard schnauzer with the nickname of Pa was named best-in-show.

Tuesday

“The George Jones Show” / 7 p.m. TNN

The Country Music Hall of Famer rounds up Vince Gill and Patty Loveless for this hourlong special, the first of six to air throughout the year. Jones is one of the most influential artists in his sphere, with four decades of hits to prove it. Trying to keep up with Jones (who sings “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “The One I Loved Back Then”), Gill and Loveless put their voices to “Pocket Full of Gold” and “You Don’t Seem to Miss Me.”

Wednesday

“Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ‘98” / 5 and 6 p.m. TNT

Here’s an opportunity for Rob Schneider to really behave badly. With help from “House of Style” hostess Rebecca Romijn, the actor’s tongue-in-cheek assignment on this annual cheesecake fest is to find the bevy of bikini-clad models striking seductive poses in sun-splashed locales around the world. And good luck to anyone trying to determine the name of this year’s SI cover model, a detail kept under wraps more tightly than most state secrets.

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“Law & Order” / 8-11 p.m. NBC

Get ready for a real “Law-lapalooza” as the Peacock presents three consecutive episodes of this consistently arresting hour. The programs were submitted last year for Emmy Award consideration, resulting in a statuette for outstanding drama series. The absorbing “Mad Dog” at 9 p.m. finds unrelenting Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) bending the rules to make life miserable for a repentant rapist (Burt Young).