'Diaries' takes viewers to battle frontline

The latest series on the new National Geographic Channel explores the frontlines of the Afghanistan civil war before the Sept. 11 tragedy put the country in the world's spotlight.
   "Frontline Diaries'' is a series that will take viewers to the frontlines of battles around the globe. The series kicks off with "Into the Forbidden Zone" (8 p.m. Tuesday on the National Geographic Channel). The episode gives viewers a close-up look in one of the most inaccessible places in the world.
   Journalist/author Sebastian Junger and photographer Reza were smuggled into one of the few sections of Afghanistan not controlled by the ruling Taliban to meet with legendary resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who led the rebel Northern Alliance and was recently assassinated within a week of the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S.
   Bin Laden connection
   Massoud led his Northern Alliance troops to a surprising victory in the '80s over the Soviet Union, and Junger and Reza were lucky to spend the time they did with him. Suicide bombers posing as journalists attacked Massoud two days before the attack on America, and the charismatic leader died several days later on Sept. 14; Northern Alliance officials speculate that terrorist Osama bin Laden ordered the assassination.
   "Into the Forbidden Zone" nicely captures a pre-Sept. 11 Afghanistan, full of famine- and disease-stricken refugee camps, an unjust ruling Taliban, and the resistance fighters who risk their lives to take back the country. The dramatic visuals are striking, more so now than ever.
   Junger's trek to Afghanistan originally formed the basis for "The Lion in Winter," an article for National Geographic Adventure magazine and also the closing piece in Junger's new book, "Fire." Junger is best known as the author of the "The Perfect Storm," which was later turned into the film starring George Clooney.
   True-to-life 'Jenifer'
   The new CBS made-for-TV movie "Jenifer" (8 p.m. today) features three sisters uniting in the long-neglected battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) when one of them is diagnosed with the fatal illness. It's based on a true story and stars Laura San Giacomo, Jane Kaczmarek and Annabella Sciorra. Camryn Manheim, Marisa Tomei and Rob Morrow make cameo appearances.
  
   Other highlights include:
   Sunday
   5 p.m. on TCM: THE PRODUCERS Here's a chance to check out Mel Brooks' 1968 comedy classic that was turned into a huge Broadway hit 32 years later. What took them so long? Was the film simply ahead of its time?
   6 p.m. on ABC: LIAR LIAR Jim Carrey stars in this popular 1997 movie as a devious lawyer whose life changes when he's forced to tell the truth for 24 hours.
   8 p.m. on PBS: AMERICAN MASTERS Ella Fitzgerald is profiled in a program that includes highlights compiled from more than 60 hours of performance footage, plus materials provided by the singer's estate. Interviews include friends, colleagues and son Ray Brown Jr. Tony Bennett narrates.
   8 p.m. on Nick at Nite: HALLOWEEN MARATHON Eight Halloween-themed sitcom episodes will be shown back to back, starting with a "Fright Night" in which the Brady kids try to outfrighten each other while staying (safe?) at home.
   Monday
   6 p.m. on TNN: FAME FOR 15 This new series looks at people who were famous - or infamous - for the proverbial 15 minutes. Tonight's subjects are Donato Dalrymple, who rescued Elian Gonzalez, and Capt. Scott O'Grady, whose plane was shot down over Bosnia.
   Tuesday
   7 p.m. on AMC: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS The original 1956 version of the classic sci-fi story of aliens taking over human bodies makes a pre-Halloween appearance. Those old clothes may be the only thing that's dated here. Stars Kevin McCarthy (who also appeared in the 1978 remake) and Dana Wynter.
   8 p.m. on NBC: FRASIER David Hyde Pierce certainly deserves the praise he's won for making brother Niles fit perfectly with the already-developed character of Frasier. Less frequently mentioned is that John Mahoney (featured in tonight's repeat episode) met a similar challenge with the role of Martin, their dad.
   Wednesday
   7 p.m. on UPN: ENTERPRISE A mission to investigate a vanished colony reveals human descendants who have acquired alien characteristics. "Trek" veteran LeVar Burton directed this episode.
   9 p.m. on Starz: BAMBOOZLED Damon Wayans and Savion Glover star in this 2000 movie from director Spike Lee that takes sharp aim at racial stereotyping in the entertainment business. It's a satire, but not everyone was amused when it was released in theaters.
   Thursday
   8 p.m. on the WB: CHARMED Only new witch Paige (Rose McGowan) is wary of a house where, it turns out, a "hideous demon" (Robert Englund) is lurking. Besides being generally unpleasant, he has the ability to shrink the sisters to powerless five-inch-tall versions of their former selves.
   Friday
   8 p.m. on Lifetime: WOMEN ROCK! GIRLS & GUITARS A concert to benefit the fight against breast cancer features leading female artists, including India.Arie, Pat Benatar, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris. The host is Allison Janney of "The West Wing."
   Saturday
   12 p.m. on NBC: HORSE RACING The annual eight-race Breeders' Cup extravaganza will be shown live from New York's historic Belmont Park.
   6:30 p.m. on Fox: THE WORLD SERIES It's not just the Sept. 11 attacks that made the World Series much later than it used to be - eight regular-season games and two playoff rounds have been added since the old days. Tonight, Bob Buck and Tim McCarver report from the home field of the National League champions.
   8 p.m. on ABC: MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING Julia Roberts had a winning role in this 1997 movie. She panics at the thought of her best friend/former lover (Dermot Mulroney) marrying someone else (Cameron Diaz). Rupert Everett also stars.
   8 p.m. on HBO: HOLLOW MAN Tempted to try that invisibility formula that could make you rich and famous? Watch this one first. Kevin Bacon and Elisabeth Shue star in the 2000 film.
  
  

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