Spotlight on Ben Franklin, Buster Keaton

Eddie is a lonely war veteran who feels his life as the handyman at a seaside amusement park has been meaningless.

Then, on his 83rd birthday, he dies. After a flash of light, he awakens, newly energized. He dashes through the park, which is oddly deserted -- except for a swami tinted blue.

"You're here," the blue man tells Eddie, "so I can teach you something."

Eddie is in heaven, where he'll meet four more people. They all want to acquaint him with the value of his life, and let him know how his existence and theirs have crossed in ways he never suspected.

It's the TV version of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," adapted by Mitch Albom from his best-selling fable.

This three-hour dreamscape stars Jon Voight as the old man, with co-stars including Jeff Daniels, Michael Imperioli and Ellen Burstyn. The film airs 7 p.m. today on ABC.

Other shows to look out for:

What didn't Ben Franklin do? This Founding Father was also a writer, inventor, businessman, scientist and a creative force behind such institutions as the fire department, public library and the first national newspaper (and don't forget inventions like bifocals and the Franklin stove). A History Channel special, "Ben Franklin," celebrates his vast achievements, while also delving into surprisingly enigmatic sides of his character. Franklin was "a master of masks," says one authority in the film, adding: "Franklin understood that American life was one great masquerade ball." Shot largely on location in Philadelphia, "Ben Franklin" invites viewers to the masquerade ball as he lived it, with visits to historic sites and period re-enactments. It airs today at 8 p.m.

Overshadowed today by such early film clowns as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, the brilliant Buster Keaton takes the spotlight when Turner Classic Movies presents a gut-Buster of a Keaton festival Tuesday. At 7 p.m., TCM premieres a documentary on the stone-faced silent film star, "So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton and MGM," created by filmmaker Kevin Brownlow. Seven Keaton classics follow: at 7:45 p.m., "The Cameraman" (1928); 9 p.m. "Spite Marriage" (featuring its original 1929 Vitaphone musical score); 10:30 p.m., repeat of "So Funny It Hurt"; 11:15 p.m., "Free and Easy" (1930), Keaton's first talkie; 1 a.m., "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" (1931); "The Passionate Plumber" (1932); 3:30 a.m., "What! No Beer?" (1933); and 4:45 a.m., "The Balloonatic" (1923). Crank up the TiVo!

It all started in October, when a group of 10 chain smokers was sequestered under false pretenses, only to learn much to their dismay that they had begun a challenge to kick their tobacco habit. Now comes the finale of Pax TV's "Cold Turkey," which finds the contestants cigarette-free for 21 days. Can they make it another three days? "At some point during this game, or journey," says Amy, a wardrobe stylist, "we all decided we wanted to walk out of this together." Will they, each free of the nicotine grip and $10,000 richer? And how many stay quitters when the contest is over? Find out when "Cold Turkey" calls it quits at 9 p.m. Tuesday. A.J. Benza is host.

Bill Nye (widely known as "the Science Guy") is host of a new series that gathers Eureka moments throughout scientific history into "The 100 Greatest Discoveries." Airing (aptly enough) on the Science Channel, the eight-week series features accounts of how the great discoveries of science were made, how they affected the development of scientific knowledge, and how they touch lives today. Including such favorites as anesthesia, the neutron, X-rays and plastics, this scientific hit list is divided into the areas of evolution, earth sciences, medicine, biology, genetics, chemistry, physics and astronomy. Then, in February, a ninth episode will spotlight humankind's Top 10 discoveries, as chosen through an online poll by Discover magazine. "The 100 Greatest Discoveries" premieres Wednesday at 7 p.m.