Kelsey Grammer

Two vastly different, but equally venerable, racing traditions are the highlights of today's sports television -- the 121-year-old Kentucky Derby and the 144-year-old America's Cup Series. At night, fathers and mothers are on display.* "Talkin' It Out With John Walsh" (11:30 a.m.-noon, WBFF, Channel 45) -- The host of "America's Most Wanted" presents a public service special for kids, exploring the Oklahoma City terrorist bombing from their point of view. The show includes an introduction by the cast of the hit "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers."

All through the World Series, the rest of television has played dead, offering few real incentives to change the channel -- other than Tuesday's "NYPD Blue," that is. Tonight the tide turns in a big way, as NBC, Fox and TNT conspire to offer entertaining alternatives. Still, as that famous baseball fan William Shakespeare once wrote, the double play's the thing.* "World Series Game 5" (8 p.m.-conclusion, WBAL, Channel 11) -- Look at it this way: No matter what happens tonight, this is the last World Series game to be played in the United States in 1993.

A new sitcom starring Sharon Lawrence (Sylvia Costas on "NYPD Blue") debuts on NBC tonight. Advance word has it that you may have trouble believing it's the same actress."

Since I'm rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies, I hope the Atlanta Braves didn't win last night and force a seventh game in the National League playoffs tonight. If that's the case, that's the place to be in prime time tonight, beginning at 8 on CBS. Otherwise, there are these options, worthy and otherwise:* "The Simpsons" (8-8:30 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Homer goes to college? Just for one course, and just for this one episode -- which was written by Conan O'Brien, before he left "The $H Simpsons" staff to become late-night TV talk-show host.

JUST WONDERING:* To wed or not to wed? We're talking about "Murphy Brown," of course, for that seems to be the burning question of tonight's season finale (at 9, Channel 11).Murphy (Candice Bergen) apparently will take all summer to decide not only whether but who, torn between suitors Jerry (Jay Thomas) and Jake (Robin Thomas).Media Monitor wants to hear some marital advice from readers. Specifically, should TV's thorniest lady hitch herself to a man? (TV Guide this week asked a bunch of so-so celebrities the same question, but what do they know compared to loyal column readers?

After 11 years, NBC's Frasier ended its acclaimed run last night with Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) quoting Tennyson to his Seattle radio audience and then flying off to Chicago in pursuit of a woman named Charlotte (Laura Linney) whom he had met just three weeks ago. Along the way were a birth, a wedding, low farce and some of the most highly intelligent sitcom writing prime time network television is ever likely to see. Final episodes of long-running series are almost impossible to craft, and this one had its flaws.

John Mahoney had always loved acting and the theater. But like the sensible Martin Crane he plays on TV's highly rated "Frasier," he followed the sensible path.As a young adult he settled in Chicago, earned a bachelor's degree in English literature at Quincy College, then a master's degree from Western Illinois University. His education earned him a career as an editor of medical trade publications.But at 37, he set aside the journals and followed his muse."It was amazingly simple," Mr. Mahoney says.

OF ALL THE PRESTIGIOUS awards that the entertainment industry gives to itself in humble recognition of its own sheer fabulousness - the Emmys, the Grammys, the Tonys, the Golden Globes, The Wallys, The Silver Spheres, The Vinnys, the Cubic Zirconium Orbs of Distinction, the Sneezys and the Award That They Always Give To Kelsey Grammer - there is none so prestigious as the Oscars. That's why an estimated 40 billion people will tune in this year to watch the Academy Awards show, which begins at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)

81 Hubert de Givenchy Fashion designer 65 David Geffen Film/music company executive 62 Alan Rickman Actor 53 Kelsey Grammer Actor 29 Jennifer Love Hewitt Actress 21 Ellen Page Actress

"Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer, taking his cue from Andre Braugher, also thanked Baltimore after winning an Emmy on Sunday, noting that he'd worked here in Charm City once. Apparently, he wasn't kidding -- at least not about the working here part. According to his publicist, Grammer, before striking TV gold as Frasier Crane, appeared in a 1981 production of "Othello" at the Morris Mechanic Theatre, opposite stars James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. At the time, Sun theater critic R.H. Gardner said he "liked" Grammer's performance as Cassio.