1 p.m. on the Sci-Fi Channel

Snake-movie marathon

A day devoted to scary snakes begins with “Silent Predators”; continues with “Python” at 3 p.m, “Boa” at 5 p.m. and “Pythons 2” at 7 p.m., and winds up with an elimination bout of sorts, “Boa vs. Python,” at 9 p.m.

7 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel

“Inside the Mafia”

Here’s another chance to catch this four-hour documentary that debuted last week. The program traces the growth of the Mafia in both the United States and Sicily, along with efforts to combat it. Ray Liotta, whose film credits include the mob drama “GoodFellas,” narrates.

8 p.m. on CNBC

“The Age of Wal-Mart”

Subtitled “Inside America’s Most Powerful Company,” this documentary – CNBC’s first winner of the prestigious Peabody Award – is getting another round of showings during the summer doldrums. Reporter David Faber looks at how Wal-Mart grew to dominance and considers its prospects in the face of increased opposition.

10 p.m. on Spike TV

“True Dads”

Bruce Willis hosts a special in which men talk about the joys of parenthood.

Monday, June 20

9 p.m. on USA

“A Tribute to George Lucas”

Now that his “Star Wars” saga is complete, what better time to honor the director? The American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award will be presented by Steven Spielberg. R2D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca and a host of humans – including Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill – will be on hand for the ceremony.

Tuesday, June 21

8 p.m. on CBS

“100 Years … 100 Movie Quotes”

Yet another countdown show from the folks at the American Film Institute. (They started out seven years ago with “100 Movies.”) The top quotes are from American films released before Jan. 1, 2004, and selected by a poll of more than 1,500 “leaders in the creative community.”

9 p.m. on NBC

“I Want to Be a Hilton”

It seems the antics of Paris Hilton have led some people to believe that it’s good to be rich and famous. In any case, NBC says the 14 contestants on this new “reality” series are young and eccentric. They will be mentored not by Paris but by “matriarch” Kathy Hilton, and the winner gets to live like a Hilton for a year.

Wednesday, June 22

9 p.m. on PBS

“American Masters”

Musician and entertainment mogul Quincy Jones is profiled in this episode from 2001. Known as an innovator in jazz and many other types of music, Jones also has had a hand in some spectacular pop successes, including Michael Jackson and 1960s teen star Lesley Gore.

9:30 p.m. on HBO2

“GoodFellas”

If you caught the National Geographic documentary “Inside the Mafia,” you may remember Henry Hill, one of the real-life mobsters described by narrator Ray Liotta. In this 1990 movie, Liotta stars as Hill, whose survival came to depend on the federal witness protection program. Another point of interest is the performance of Lorraine Bracco, who went on to greater fame as a key player in “The Sopranos.”

Thursday, June 23

9 p.m. on PBS

“Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk”

This new documentary looks at four contrasting American colleges and finds cause for concern. Among the issues cited are high dropout rates, students who manage to graduate despite minimal attention to the curriculum, and competitive pressures that lead schools to pay undue attention to their images.

Friday, June 24

8 p.m. on Showtime

“The Prince & Me”

OK, she’s an older young actress, but at 24 Julia Stiles has turned out one solid performance after another while the media has been busy promoting the likes of Lindsay Lohan. Here Stiles stars with Luke Mably in the appealing story of a student who doesn’t realize her lab partner is a Danish prince.

Saturday, June 25

Noon on Encore

“It! The Terror From Beyond Space”

Miss the gang from “Mystery Science Theater 3000”? Here’s a treat: In anticipation of next week’s release of “War of the Worlds,” they’re hosting an “alien invasion” marathon that starts with this sci-fi pioneer from 1958.

8 p.m. on ABC

“Pocahontas”

This 1995 animated musical ranks among the better Disney features of its era, notable for having a very strong woman as its protagonist and for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s Oscar-winning song “Colors of the Wind.” The two also won an Oscar for the score.

9 p.m. on Starz

“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement”

Sequels are pretty much the rule these days, and this one pretty much matched the original. Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) is now 21, and it seems she has to get married in a big hurry if she’s to keep her royal status. How will grandmother/Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) fare as a matchmaker?

– KRT

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