Jason Alexander

The best comedy flows from real-life experiences, and nobody on television is tapping that vein better these days than "Seinfeld," the NBC series that tonight at 9 and 9:30 gives viewers a double feature of back-to-back episodes on WMAR (Channel 2).Star Jerry Seinfeld built his stand-up comedy reputation on the "didja' ever notice . . ." school of observational humor, and tonight's first episode tackles a commonplace urban stress: the hunt for a good parking place.Along the way, it also proves another formula for a successful comedy series: By reaching back to "The Honeymooners" and "I Love Lucy," the show demonstrates the need for a strong ensemble cast of almost-believable characters.

The O. J. Simpson trial is scheduled to resume today, and Fox's O. J. Simpson made-for-TV movie is scheduled to be broadcast tomorrow night. Welcome to OJTV: All O. J., all the time. There are, however, alternatives, at least for now.* "The American Music Awards" (8 p.m.-11 p.m., Channel 2) -- Tonight's awards show includes a segment celebrating the 10th anniversary of "We Are the World" -- because, after all, we and the world are still here. Also, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince is scheduled to perform live, as is the Artist Still Known as Madonna, and the Artists Making the Transition From Boyz II Men. The show's hosts, Tom Jones, Lorrie Morgan and Queen Latifah, perform also, and the evening's strangest scheduled performance may well be that of "Tutti Frutti," sung by Little Richard and the Go-Go's.

If you had to pick one person to embody the word "droll" -- which itself embodies the British approach to humor -- you could do no better than Leo McKern. He returns to PBS in a new series of "Rumpole of the Bailey" mysteries.* "Due South" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Fraser (Paul Gross) delivers a package to the wrong person, and finds himself mistaken as the recipient's lover -- by her husband, who wants revenge. CBS.* "Living Single" (8:30 p.m.-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Khadijah (Queen Latifah)

Except for the premiere of a new CBS drama series that reunites two producers and two stars of "St. Elsewhere," all the action tonight is on cable. Heading the list: a wild and delightfully mature cartoon series called "Duckman," and the TV premiere of a wild and delightfully immature movie called "Groundhog Day."* "Never Say Never Again." (8 p.m.-11 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Actually, in this case, it wouldn't have been such a bad idea. Most of the plots and stunts seem purloined from previous Bond stories and movies, and Klaus Maria Brandauer, as the villain, lights up the screen a lot more than Sean Connery's female costar, Kim Basinger.

Baseball action continues on CBS -- but fans of other tempting offerings, such as "The Simpsons" and "Seinfeld" have some choosing to do. Or, at lease, some fast remote-control zapping.* "National League baseball playoffs" (8 p.m.-conclusion, WBAL, Channel 11) -- Game 2 of the NL play- offs, after which the Philadelphia Phillies give up home-field advantage and move on, with the Braves, to Atlanta. CBS.* "The Simpsons" (8-8:30 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Kelsey Grammer appears -- or, more accurately, his voice does -- on two different comedies tonight.

Every film is a Baltimore premiere at the 14th Annual Jewish Film Festival, and every screening will feature speakers and guests involved with the movies or their subject matter. Based at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts (3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills), the event kicks off Saturday, April 6, at 8:30 p.m., with the French film I Am Alive and I Love You, a true story of a railroad worker taking in a Holocaust victim's son. On Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m., another Holocaust film will premiere: The Optimists, an Israeli / American documentary explaining the survival of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews.

"Seinfeld" will become even more like Seinfeld this season.The hit NBC sitcom, which stars droll stand-up Jerry Seinfeld as himself, will feature an ongoing storyline in which he negotiates with NBC for his own series, the comedian told TV critics in Los Angeles yesterday.The plot will begin with the Aug. 12 third-season opener and continue through at least five episodes. It could run the entire 22 segments, says Mr. Seinfeld, also the show's producer. "We don't know where it's going, but as long as it can live, we'll do it."

Goodbye, goodbye! Season finales abound tonight, along with one series ender. Rock fans also take note: Some never-before-telecast music and conversation from Bruce Springsteen arrive on cable.* "Mad About You" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- This series' charm stems from the fact that Paul and Jamie (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) seem like real spouses. Tonight's extended season finale plays the old "what if?" game most spouses know well. When they learn that the place where they met is gone, we view a fantasy life in which they have not gotten together.

Tonight on TV, one of the best dramas of recent years serves up its final episode. Yes, it's the conclusion of "Prime Suspect 3" on "Mystery!" -- and, elsewhere on TV, "L.A. Law" presents its finale, too. Other noteworthy offerings include season-ending doses of "The Simpsons," "Seinfeld" and "Frasier."* "Mad About You." (8-9 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Paul (Paul Reiser) loses his wedding ring just before his second anniversary -- a fitting topic to close the second season. Helen Hunt co-stars.

Geraldo Rivera is coming to prime time, and he's got his sights set on Larry King's viewers.Cable channel CNBC yesterday announced it will launch a new weeknight talk show Feb. 7 called "Rivera Live." The program, which will go head-to- head with King six nights a week at 9, will feature Rivera reporting, interviewing and taking phone calls from around the country."If I had to describe it, probably the most simple way would be to say it's 'Larry King' meets 'Crossfire,' with a little 'Nightline' thrown in," Rivera told TV critics in Los Angeles.