Autumn Artillery

The fall season was delayed by the Summer Olympics, but the all-important November sweeps is arriving on time. Beginning Thursday, networks will once again seek to entice viewers with “event” programming.

NBC will feature the all-time movie box-office giant, “Titanic.” ABC offers up three new “Wonderful World of Disney” movies, and on CBS’ plate are two big miniseries, as well as the latest “Hallmark Hall of Fame” drama.

On the series front, Fox’s “The Simpsons” celebrates its 250th episode. Here’s a look at the highlights:

SERIES

“The Simpsons”: The long-running animated series presents its annual Halloween special, “Treehouse of Horror XI,” Wednesday; The Who guest on the 12th season premiere and the 250th episode. Sunday, Fox.

“Normal, Ohio”: John Goodman stars in a sitcom about a man who returns to his hometown to reconnect with his family, four years after telling them he is gay. Wednesday, Fox.

“The $treet”: Darren Star’s (“Sex and the City”) latest series--an ensemble drama about a group of twentysomethings working on Wall Street. Wednesday, Fox.

“20/20”: Barbara Walters sits down again with Barbra Streisand to talk about her final live appearances and her marriage to James Brolin. Friday, ABC.

“The X-Files”: The sci-fi series returns for its eighth season with a new partner (Robert Patrick) for Scully (Gillian Anderson). Nov. 5, Fox.

“Moesha”: NAACP President Kweisi Mfume guest stars. Nov. 6, UPN.

“The Railway Children”: Jenny Agutter and Richard Attenborough star in the “Masterpiece Theatre” adaptation of the famed children’s novel. Nov. 12, KCET and KVCR.

“Hitler’s Lost Sub”: This edition of “Nova” focuses on a missing German U-boat located 60 miles off the New Jersey shore with its torpedoes unexploded and the bodies of the crew on board. Nov. 14, KCET and KVCR.

“ER”: Sally Field begins a limited run on the No. 1 drama series as the mother of Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney). Nov. 16, NBC.

“Sheep in the City”: Premiere of new animated series about a sheep on the lam. Nov. 17, Cartoon Network.

“Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens, a Life in Animation”: “Great Performances” profile of the celebrated Looney Tunes animator and director. Nov. 22, KCET and KVCR.

“On Cukor”: “American Masters” documentary on the Oscar-winning George Cukor, who directed such classics as “My Fair Lady and “The Philadelphia Story.” Nov. 22, KCET and KVCR.

DOCUMENTARIES

“Hidden Victims: Children of Domestic Violence”: Dylan McDermott hosts an exploration of the impact of domestic violence on children. Nov. 6, Lifetime.

“Napoleon”: The first-ever long-form documentary on the famed French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. The film explores his vision, aspirations, defeats and his love for Josephine Beauharnais. Nov. 8 and 15, KCET and KVCR.

“Blocked: The Novelist’s Experience in Hollywood”: Carrie Fisher hosts this examination of the difficulties writers encounter making the transition from novelist to Hollywood scriptwriter. Included are interviews with Ray Bradbury, Budd Schulberg, Michael Tolkin and Joseph Wambaugh. Nov. 18, AMC.

“Why Doctors Make Mistakes”: Four-hour look at the nature and extent of medical errors made by doctors and nurses, as well as why mistakes are made. Nov. 19-20, Learning Channel.

“Founding Fathers”: Roger Mudd hosts a four-part exploration of the men who fought for independence against the British, shaping the destiny of the United States. Nov. 27-30, History Channel.

“Sabretooth”: A paleo-detective story that examines the biology as well as the behavior of the most successful killing machine of its time. Nov. 27, Discovery Channel.

SPECIALS

“The Radio Music Awards”: Creed and ‘N Sync head the list of nominees of these awards recognizing the achievements of recording artists and radio personalities. Saturday, ABC.

“SNL’s Presidential Bash 2000”: “Saturday Night Live” goes prime time for this special comedic look at the presidential elections. Nov. 4, NBC.

“Women of the WCW”: Profiles of three of the WCW’s top female wrestlers, Torrie, Paisley and Miss Hancock, as they prepare and compete in matches. Nov. 5, E! Entertainment Television.

“False Memories”’: Kathy Bates narrates this look at how false memories are created. Included are interviews with psychologists, victims of false memories and police officers. Nov. 14, The Learning Channel.

“The Master of Deception”: Tony Mendez, a retired chief of disguise for the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology, explains how the agency uses the art of disguise to confuse and overcome the enemy. Nov. 19, Discovery Channel.

“Arthur’s Perfect Christmas”: The popular animated star headlines a holiday special. Nov. 23, KCET and KVCR.

“Faith Hill Special”: The award-winning country-western singer headlines a musical special. Nov. 23, CBS.

“Grand Ole Opry 75th--A Celebration”: Vince Gill and Dolly Parton hosts a star-studded tribute to the country music venue. Nov. 23, CBS.

“Holidays With the Stars”: Celebs discuss how they celebrate the holidays. Nov. 26, E! Entertainment Television.

MOVIES AND MINISERIES

“The Growing Pains Movie”: The stars of the popular sitcom of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, including Kirk Cameron and Alan Thicke, reunite for a new movie presented by “The Wonderful World of Disney,” Nov. 5, ABC.

“Esther”: Louise Lombard plays the Jewish woman who became Queen of Persia and saved her people from extermination in this historical drama. Nov. 5, PAX.

“Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis”: Joanne Whalley plays Jackie Kennedy and Tim Matheson is President John F. Kennedy in this four-hour drama based on the best-selling biography by Donald Spoto. Nov. 5 and 8, CBS.

“The Last Debate”: James Garner, Peter Gallagher, Audra McDonald and Donna Murphy star in this drama based on this political novel by PBS’ Jim Lehrer. Nov. 5, Showtime.

“American Tragedy”: Four-hour adaptation of Lawrence Schiller’s bestseller about the defense team at O.J. Simpson’s murder trail. Ving Rhames, Ron Silver, Christopher Plummer and Bruno Kirby star. Schiller directed from Norman Mailer’s script. Nov. 12 and 15, CBS.

“The Miracle Worker”: “The Wonderful World of Disney” presents a new version of William Gibson’s classic play about the relationship between 8-year-old blind, deaf mute Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Hallie Kate Eisenberg and Alison Elliott star. Nov. 12, ABC.

“In the Beginning”: Four-hour epic featuring the best-loved stories of the Bible. Filmed in Budapest and Morocco, the drama stars Martin Landau, Jacqueline Bisset, Billy Campbell and Eddie Cibrian. Nov. 12 and 13, NBC.

“Seventeen Again”: Tia, Tamera and Tahj Mowry star in a family comedy. Nov. 12, Showtime.

“For Love Or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story”: Andy Garcia stars in a biographical drama about the famed Cuban jazz trumpeter who was torn between the love of his family and his passion for music. Gloria Estefan and Charles S. Dutton also star. Nov. 18, HBO.

“Santa Who?”: “The Wonderful World of Disney” holiday comedy that finds Santa (Leslie Nielsen) suffering from amnesia when he crash lands in New York. Nov. 19, ABC.

“Christy--Return to Cutter Gap”: First of three new movies based on the bestseller by Catherine Marshall and the CBS series. Nov. 19, PAX.

“The Lost Child”: Oscar-winning Mercedes Ruehl and Jamey Sheridan star in a “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentation about a woman who goes in search of her natural parents and discovers her long lost family and heritage. Nov. 19, CBS.

“Love Lessons”: Patty Duke plays a 50-year-old married woman who discovers she’s pregnant in a drama that also stars Ronny Cox as her husband. Nov. 22, CBS.

“Titanic”: This winner of nine Academy Awards comes to broadcast television with Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gloria Stuart starring in James Cameron’s 1997 epic about the ill-fated 1912 luxury liner. Nov. 26, NBC.

“The Moving of Sophia Myles”: Della Reese of “Touched By An Angel” plays a preacher’s widow in a drama that also stars Rue McClanahan. Nov. 26, CBS.