Cruel, cruel world The Olympics is a sleigh ride compared with the opening task facing competitors in "The Amazing Race 16" (7 p.m. Sun., WCCO, Ch. 4). Before they can board a plane to Chile, the teams are being forced to battle Los Angeles traffic. In rush hour! Don't be surprised if half the drivers slip off to the shoulder and weep uncontrollably.

Both sides of the bars If the biggest challenge facing you this Valentine's Day is whether to spring for chocolate or flowers, just imagine what the holiday is like for the 13 people profiled in "Prison Wives" (7-10 p.m. Sun., Investigation Discovery), a new documentary series which suggests that the convicted are not the only ones doing time.

Nice fit "How to Make It in America" (9 p.m. Sun., HBO) is a hard- luck version of "Entourage" with ambitious New Yorkers trying to make it big in the world of denim jeans and high-energy drinks. Not exactly an arresting pitch, but the low-key approach of the cast, including Bryan Greenberg, Lake Bell and Luis Guzman, draws you in. Here's hoping this series "makes it."

Local lab Much of the new series "SciGirls" (5:30 p.m. Fri. & 7:30 a.m. Sat., KTCA, Ch. 2) evolved locally. Not only was it produced by Twin Cities Public Television, but the season opens with a Minnesota wildlife specialist teaching local schoolgirls (pictured) how to make a wetlands area more inviting to turtles. Future episodes feature a puppet master from the University of St. Thomas and a cooking class with local food scientist Emily Noble.

NEAL JUSTIN