6:30pm

Pop Music

Despite their stylistic and generational differences, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Neil Young & Crazy Horse have a thing or two in common: Both embody distinctive strains of the Los Angeles rock legacy, and in concert both bands espouse an in-your-face philosophy. The funky clowns and the folk-rock hero pool their talents in a benefit for Gloria Scott, an ailing East Los Angeles drug counselor.

* Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Thelonious Monster and DJ Perry Farrell, the Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., L.A. Sold out. 6:30 p.m. (323) 962-7600.

7pm

Festival

The Museum of Television & Radio presents the 18th annual William S. Paley Television Festival, named after the founder of the museum and CBS. Continuing through March 13, the festival salutes programs chosen for their artistic merit, cultural impact or historical significance or an individual whose work has had a major impact on television. During these nightly events, the audience views episodes or highlights of the featured work and has an opportunity to ask questions of the cast and creative teams or the individuals involved in its production. The CBS drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” will be the focus of tonight’s program. The Fox comedy “Malcolm in the Middle” takes center stage Friday night. The CBS courtroom drama “Judging Amy” and the WB’s noirish action drama “Angel” will be the focus of Saturday night’s dual salutes. The festival will also pay tribute to, among others, director and writer Michael Moore, the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” and the hit staged, unscripted show “Survivor.”

* William S. Paley Television Festival, Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Tonight through March 13 (dark Sundays). Tonight, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 7 p.m.; Friday, “Malcolm in the Middle,” 7 p.m.; Saturday, “Judging Amy,” 6 p.m., and “Angel,” 9 p.m. $15; seniors and students with ID, $13. (800) 225-2277.

8pm

Theater

“Mamma Mia!,” ABBA members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ hit musical, is about a mother and her soon-to-be-wed daughter on a tiny mythical Greek island. Interwoven into the humorous story, written by Catherine Johnson, are 22 ABBA songs.

* “Mamma Mia!,” Shubert Theatre, 2020 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends May 12. $40-$70. (800) 447-7400.

8pm

Pop Music

The tour is billed as “The Newport Folk Festival,” but think “T” as in Texas--the state that spawned the show’s three principals, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell. The esteemed singer-songwriters will perform separately and in collaborations with Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra.

* Nanci Griffith & the Blue Moon Orchestra, Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell, Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood, 8 p.m. $20 to $35. (310) 825-2101. Also Saturday at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 8 p.m. $30 to $40. (800) 300-4345.

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Freebie: Jewelry from Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner and a collection of watches from George Hamilton will be on view before the auction at Christie’s, 360 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (310) 385-2600.