Fans getting a double-dose of 'Buffy'

"Buffy" fans in Corpus Christi are rejoicing. Not only is the vampire slayer back for a new season on her new network (7 p.m. Tuesday on UPN), but also local UPN affiliate KTOV will soon be inserted into the Time Warner cable line-up.
   KTOV has long been available on a weak signal over the air, but the station has had a hard time getting on Time Warner, the city's largest cable provider. Now KTOV will be available on Time Warner's channel 15 starting Oct. 31, and the station's over-the-air signal is broadcasting stronger and broader than ever, according to Fred Hoffman, KTOV president.
   "We're always pleased to be able to bring new programming to our customers," said Vicki Triplett, Time Warner marketing manager in Corpus Christi. Time Warner initially thought it would have to cancel another station to make room, but after some channel reshuffling (CNBC moved from channel 15 to 57, and The History Channel moved from 57 to 78), no channels were sacrificed.
   "I feel great," said Hoffman. "It's been a long process, but we got it accomplished, and we're glad that our programming will be available to more people in Corpus Christi."
   Until Oct. 31, "Buffy" will be available over the air (via antenna) for those who want to catch it.
   Last we saw the slayer, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) had sacrificed her own life to save that of her younger sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg). The sixth-season premiere features Willow (Alyson Hannigan), the witch of the group, trying to bring Buffy back from the dead. Also, Buffy's mentor Giles (Anthony Stuart Head) heads back to Britain and leaves the shop to Anya (Emma Caulfield), who hasn't yet announced her engagement with Xander (Nicholas Brendon) to the group.
   "Buffy," based on the 1992 film about a teen-age slayer defending the city from evil bloodsuckers, is a hit with many who are young at heart. It takes a healthy suspension of disbelief to enjoy the show since Buffy & Co. kill all the vampires and demons by punching, kicking and stabbing, but its fan base is loyal and strong nonetheless.
   Other highlights on this week include:
   Sunday
   7 p.m. on Showtime: THE BELIEVER. A troubled young man hides his Jewish identity as he rises in neo-Nazi circles. This new made-for-cable movie is based on a true story and stars Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Theresa Russell and Billy Zane.
   8 p.m. on ABC: ALIAS. A graduate student (Jennifer Garner) leads a double life as a CIA agent. Trouble looms when she unwisely discloses her secret. Also starring in this new action-drama series are Carl Lumbly and Ron Rifkin.
   8 p.m. on NBC: LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT. Those who are counting may wonder: Why a third version of "Law & Order"? The answer may lie more in the success of the original than in the fact that the bad guys' point of view may have been underrepresented so far. Stars Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Jamey Sheridan and Courtney B. Vance.
   8 p.m. on PBS: NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM. Filmmaker Ric Burns concludes his marathon history of New York with two episodes covering 1929 to "the present." But sadly, the city has changed greatly since Burns completed the project. The final installment will be shown at the same time tomorrow.
   9 p.m. on NBC: UC: UNDERCOVER. This new series follows the exploits of the members of an elite undercover Justice Department unit. They face plenty of stress as they target the "deadliest, most untouchable lawbreakers." The cast includes Jon Seda, Bruklin Harris, Oded Fehr, Jarrad Paul and Vera Farmiga.
   Monday
   5:30 p.m. on TBS: FRIENDS. For some shows, there seems to be no saturation point. Starting tonight, "Friends" gets a third channel with these cable reruns. (New episodes remain on NBC, and syndicated reruns continue on local stations.)
   7 p.m. on TCM: LANA TURNER: A DAUGHTER'S MEMOIR. Cheryl Crane remembers the often-troubled life of her mother, who died in 1995. At 9:30 p.m., the 1946 version of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" begins a 32-film festival of Turner movies that will continue on Mondays through Oct. 29.
   Tuesday
   7:30 p.m. on HBO: THE CONTENDER. The performance of the always-reliable Joan Allen is a highlight of this 2000 movie. She's in line to succeed the deceased vice president, but the nomination is threatened by accusations of past sexual indiscretions that she doesn't want to talk about.
   8 p.m. on PBS: 5 GIRLS. Shown as part of the "P.O.V." series of independent films, this story of "growing up female in America" was made in Chicago over a three-year period. Filmmaker Maria Finitzo follows five teens and finds that they have much in common despite varying backgrounds.
   8:30 p.m. on NBC: SCRUBS. This new comedy series is set in a "surreal" teaching hospital. Since producer Bill Lawrence helped to create "Spin City," expectations here are above average.
   Wednesday
   7 p.m. on Starz: BOWFINGER. Steve Martin has always had a sharp eye for the foibles of Hollywood. (Remember "L.A. Story"?) He wrote this 1999 comedy in which he stars as a B-list filmmaker who has to resort to a look-alike (Eddie Murphy) for the action star he wanted to hire.
   Thursday
   7 p.m. on PBS: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW U.K. The highly popular American version was inspired by the British original (in its 23rd season), and now the makers of both shows are collaborating on this new series for U.S. audiences. The host is Michael Aspel.
   7 p.m. on Nickelodeon: NICK NEWS. Tonight's show marks the 10th anniversary of the series, which aims to make current events understandable to children. Host Linda Ellerbee will review some of the most important developments of a decade that began with the Persian Gulf war.
   Friday
   8 p.m. on Fox: PASADENA. In what would seem to be a soap opera with a strong dose of suspense, this new series plays out through the eyes of a 15-year-old (Alison Lohman) in an eccentric and powerful Southern California family. The cast includes Dana Delany as her chilly mother.
   Saturday
   3 p.m. on Fox Family: BRIAN'S SONG. Made-for-TV movies have had their ups and downs, but this true story filmed in 1971 remains a high point. James Caan stars as cancer-stricken football star Brian Piccolo, and Billy Dee Williams is his friend Gayle Sayers.
  
  
  

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