Talk to the animals
Neil Patrick Harris is back in scrubs, but Dr. Blowhole is not nearly as sweet as Doogie Howser. The multi-talented actor once again lends his voice to the sinister nemesis of "The Penguins of Madagascar" (7 p.m. Friday, Nick). The hourlong special allows Harris to participate in four musical numbers. Now how sinister can he be?
Young at heart
"Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again" (8 p.m. Friday, HBO) finds the two swapping show-biz stories, most of which are about as ancient as the 1,000-year-old man. Old-time game shows and Alfred Hitchcock's appetite are among the topics.
Back in the USA
Paul McCartney may have been born in England, but he shed red-white-and-blue tears in the wake of 9/11. To show how much he cares, he's put together "The Love We Make" (8 p.m. Saturday, Showtime), a documentary about his efforts behind a star-studded concert that took place a month after the tragedy. You can also see the entire six hours of "The Concert for New York City" (3 p.m. Sunday, VH1), the 2001 benefit show that featured the Who, Billy Joel, Melissa Etheridge and Mick Jagger.
Lost in space
There are many ways to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend, but one choice sticks out: "The Space Between" (8 p.m. Sunday, USA) with a top-notch performance from Melissa Leo as a flight attendant who befriends a 10-year Pakistani-American boy who may or may not have lost his father in the World Trade Center. Leo, who recently won an Oscar for her work in "The Fighter," may want to make room on her mantel for more awards.
