2 Thrillers Put a Little Suspense in the Picture

It’s quite literally a weekend of mystery as both HBO and A&E; present new TV thrillers.

James Caan follows in the footsteps of Humphrey Bogart, Dick Powell, Robert Mitchum and Robert Montgomery as Raymond Chandler’s famous detective Philip Marlowe in HBO’s movie “Poodle Springs,” Saturday at 9 p.m. In this outing, it’s 1963, and though Marlowe is a lot older, he certainly isn’t wiser. He’s up to his neck in murders, mayhem and corpses. Dina Meyer plays the new Mrs. Marlowe and Joe Don Baker is her rich, eccentric father. Tom Stoppard wrote the screenplay, which was directed by Bob Rafelson.

Amanda Burton returns as coroner-investigator Samantha Ryan in A&E;’s “Silent Witness: Fallen Idol,” Sunday at 5 and 9 p.m. This time around, Ryan is investigating the murder of a 17-year-old real estate trainee.

Today

TBS presents men’s apparatus gymnastics finals; the basketball semifinal; and men’s beach volleyball on the Goodwill Games at 5:05 p.m.

Sander Vanocur and a panel of historians examine Steven Spielberg’s new World War II film on the History Channel special “Saving Private Ryan,” at 7 and 11 p.m.

Anne Archer and Isabella Rossellini are the hosts of “The World Fashion Premiere From Paris,” at 9 p.m on KABC-TV Channel 7.

Friday

Events scheduled for the Goodwill Games, at 5:05 p.m. on TBS, include rhythmic gymnastics (apparatus finals); basketball (gold medal game); and diving (men’s one-meter springboard).

Country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter is a guest on PBS’ “Evening at Pops,” at 9 p.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28.

Saturday

CBS’ Goodwill Games coverage features beach volleyball, diving, soccer and wrestling events, at 1 p.m on KCBS-TV Channel 2. At 5:05 p.m., TBS presents mixed pairs gymnastics and women’s three-meter springboard diving.

Debbie Allen hosts the NBC program, “International DanceSport Championship,” at 10 p.m. on KNBC-TV Channel 4.

Sunday

Beach volleyball and diving are featured on CBS’ coverage of the Goodwill Games, at 1 p.m. on Channel 2. TBS presents diving, gymnastics and wrestling at 5:05 p.m.

The parlor game “Mad Libs” has been turned into a new Disney Channel game show, kicking off at 5:45 p.m. The game will pit two teams of children and will feature charades and stunts.

Pitcher Don Sutton and broadcaster Jaime Jarrin will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown at 4 p.m. on ESPN2.

Gregory Harrison stars in the Showtime family drama “Running Wild,” at 7 p.m. Harrison plays a retired Air Force major who arrives in Zimbabwe with his two children to track and count the elephant population near Victoria Falls.

E! Entertainment Television presents “Liberace: The E! True Hollywood Story,” at 8 p.m.

Lifetime offers an “Intimate Portrait” of actress Melissa Gilbert, at 10 p.m.