TURN ON, TUNE IN OR MISS OUT : KCET is ‘Going Places’; on CBS, the people make their ‘Choices’; HBO offers the ‘Divine’ experience

Sunday

“The People’s Choice Awards” / 9 p.m. CBS

The 23rd annual show bestows honors on the public’s favorites in television, movies and music. CBS celebs Roma Downey (“Touched By an Angel”) and Don Johnson (“Nash Bridges”) host the two-hour special in which “ER,” “NYPD Blue” and “The X-Files” are nominees for best drama, with “Friends,” “Home Improvement” and “Seinfeld” up for best comedy. The telecast was moved up two months this year to get a jump on other awards ceremonies.

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“Masterpiece Theatre” / 9 p.m. KCET

With a title like “A Royal Scandal,” you might think PBS was trashing Princess Di’s ill-fated union. But you would be wrong. This is the true story of Prince George IV (Richard E. Grant), a hedonist who in 1794 is matched with the eligible Princess Caroline of Brunswick (Susan Lynch). Once an heir is on the way, the disinterested George spurns his Teutonic bride and eventually banishes her to another palace as an angry public quickly takes Caroline’s side.

Monday

“Cochran & Grace” / 7 and 10 p.m. Court TV

Defense attorney Johnnie L. Cochran gets top billing on this nightly talk show based in New York. He and prosecutor Nancy Grace will analyze each day’s most arresting legal story in addition to discussing its social and political impact. The hour also will feature guests and viewer call-ins. Cochran plans to maintain his Los Angeles practice, while Grace has resigned as special prosecutor for the district attorney’s office in Fulton County, Ga.

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“Going Places” / 8 p.m. KCET

Here’s one show you won’t find on the Travel Channel. Hosted by NBC weatherman Al Roker, it’s an eight-part series exploring the sights of cities around the world. The first stop is London, where author and former barrister John Mortimer (“Rumpole of the Bailey”) explains British law and actor-restaurateur Michael Caine defends his country’s maligned cuisine. In the coming weeks, the series will feature jaunts to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Italy and Australia.

Tuesday

“Country Justice” / 9 p.m. CBS

A custody battle is at the heart of this TV movie. George C. Scott plays Clayton Harris, a grizzled coal miner whose teenage granddaughter (Rachel Leigh Cook) reluctantly moves in with her irresponsible single mother Angie (Ally Sheedy). Worse, she later gives birth to a child fathered by Angie’s live-in boyfriend Ray (Don Diamont). Believing he is doing the right thing, Clayton kidnaps the infant after Ray petitions for sole custody.

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“Frontline” / 9 p.m. KCET

As the bullish stock market has continued to climb in recent months, the cynics who produce this investigative series hit upon a provocative question. Can the market be leading us astray? In “Betting on the Market,” Fortune magazine senior editor Joe Nocera examines increasingly risky investments--most made in the name of retirement or college education for the kids--and their potential consequences for the nation.

Wednesday

“Coast to Coast” / 9 p.m. CBS

No doubt the legacy of newsman Charles Kuralt was influential in establishing the premise for this new on-the-road series. Originating from different locales each week, it plans to canvass the country’s back roads in search of captivating real-life stories. Bernard Goldberg, Cynthia Bowers and former MTV reporter Alison Stewart are among the correspondents who will work with newcomers Derek McGinty and Jennifer Laird, among others.

Saturday

“Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas” / 9 p.m. HBO

The ebullient entertainer brings her “Experience the Divine” concert to cable complete with colorful sets, outrageous outfits and that singular personality. Midler performs many of her biggest hits, from “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” to “Wind Beneath My Wings,” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It is the fourth HBO special for Midler, who made her debut on the cable channel in 1977. So ask yourself one simple question: Do you wanna dance?