Highlights -- and lowlights -- for the week ahead

First, he finds a dead man hanging from a water pipe during what was supposed to be an ordinary business appointment. Then he finds his own future similarly dangling in mid-air.

A handsome, put-upon insurance adjuster, Lorimar Black becomes increasingly entangled in a conspiracy that appears to touch everyone he's ever met.

This is the tale of "Armadillo," a new film on A&E adapted by William Boyd from his 1999 novel. James Frain ("Hilary and Jackie," "The Count of Monte Crisco") stars as Black, a mysterious man leading parallel lives who, on top of everything else, must contend with his feelings for a beautiful, married actress (Catherine McCormack) and deal with an erratic boss (Steven Rea).

Also starring Hugh Bonneville and James Fox, "Armadillo" airs Saturday at 8 p.m. .

Other shows to watch, or watch out for:

"Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law" can safely claim to be TV's first animated law show. The adult-skewed series takes Birdman, a third-rate superhero from a 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon, and turns him into a lawyer with three-piece suit and wingtips -- at the tips of his wings. One more thing: He defends other cartoon characters. On this week's episode, Birdman defends Fred Flintstone, a tough guy in construction, in a sendup of "The Sopranos." It airs Sunday at 10 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

Disney Channel presents "Confident for Life," a documentary for kids and tweens that explores the relationship between body image and self-esteem, as well as the influence of peers and the media on self-worth. The film finds that many kids don't think anything is wrong with them until they arrive at junior high school. There, their confidence is undermined. This film aims to help reverse that process. It airs Monday at 6 p.m.

"Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star" bills itself as the first comprehensive documentary on Crawford's life and work. With excerpts from films along with rare footage and interviews, the portrait offers a fresh re-evaluation of the illustrious Crawford career, which is often eclipsed by her notorious private life. It airs on Turner Classic Movies Thursday at 7 p.m.

Up-and-coming comics get a showcase on "Showtime Stand-up Comedy," a six-week performance series featuring maybe-soon-to-be-big-names Patrice O'Neal, Dwayne Kennedy, Gary Gulman, Mark Lundholm and Steve Brewer. First up: Charlie Viracola, who introduces the audience to Planet Charlie, where he gets to make all the rules. The series airs on Showtime Thursday at 8:30 p.m.