television

The Democratic Convention. Watch the blood pour thopefully figuratively on any of the major networks. NBC (Channel 4) coverage starts at 7 p.m. and wraps up at 11 p.m.: CBS (Channel 7) starts the same time and closes shop at midnight. ABC (Channel 5) just offers a 90-minute summary each night, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Forbidden Planet. A sci-fi version of The Tempest. complete with a fiery Caliban monster as purely libidinous as anything filmed ever. Might provide welcome respite from delegate-counting. Tuesday, 8 p.m., CHANNEL 56.

Brief Encounter. It's a middle-aged romance, and aside from the swelling Rachmaninoff on the soundtrack, it's a beauty. David Lean directed. Thursday, 10:30 p.m. CHANNEL 27.