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Thursday, October 27
FRANKENSTEER Got a beef with beef? This unsettling doc examines how Western governments in cahoots with the trillion-dollar food industry have turned the ordinary cow into an antibiotic-dependent, hormone-laced potential carrier of toxic bacteria, all in the name of cheaper and faster food. 9 pm on CBC
Friday, October 28
DURAN DURAN LIVE AT WEMBLEY The original Fab Five reunite for a 2004 concert tour, here filmed in front of a screaming audience of 30-somethings at London’s Wembley Arena. 4 pm on MuchMoreMusic
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS Winner of a lifetime achievement Grammy, legendary R&B belter Etta James performs from her latest CD, Blues To The Bone. Midnight on PBS
Saturday, October 29
ELLEN DEGENERES: HERE AND NOW The squeaky-clean queen of daytime TV’s 03 HBO comedy special shot in front of a New York audience après Anne Heche but pre Portia de Rossi. 10 pm on Comedy, repeated at 2 am
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Future U.S. president and Tour de France cycling champ Lance Armstrong hosts along with his intended First Lady, musical guest Sheryl Crow . 11:30 pm on NBC/Global
Sunday, October 30
LITTLE BRITAIN If you missed this seriously twisted post-Python UK black comedy the first time round, here it is again at a time that allows the whole family to enjoy the fun. Warning: nudity, obscene language and men in dresses. 2:30 pm on Showcase
Monday, October 31
MARY SHELLEY: THE BIRTH OF FRANKENSTEIN You can’t flip through the channels today without hitting a Halloween special somewhere. Our personal pick: Regis And Kelly ‘s annual fancy dress ball at 9 am on ABC/CTV. But goths, ahoy! This festive profile of scandalous author Shelley reveals how her personal life influenced her most famous work and why her ideas resonate nearly 200 years later. 10 pm on PBS
Tuesday, November 1
ELVIS The umpteenth retelling of the swivel-hipped crooner’s rise from backwoods beginnings to iconic deification benefits from an especially strong cast: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as the reluctant superstar, Randy Quaid as his exploitive manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Marilyn Manson’s ex, Rose McGowan , as love interest Ann Margaret, and Camryn Manheim as his doting mother, Gladys. Part one of the 05 miniseries. 9 pm on Bravo
LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN Following U2’s recent stint, rocker Neil Young takes over the New York-based talk show for four nights through Friday to promote his new CD, Prairie Wind, and upcoming Jonathan Demme -directed documentary. 12:35 am on NBC/CKVR
Wednesday, November 2
THAT 70s SHOW Is this thing still on? See how it survives without Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher when this formulaic sitcom returns for a special hour-long eighth season opener. Hyde confronts cheating girlfriend Jackie, and Fez takes the remaining gang to a disco. 8 pm on Fox/CHCH
