This Week's TV Picks

Sunday, April 13: "LIFE IN COLD BLOOD" 8 p.m. on Animal Planet

Their reputation may be slimy, but reptiles and amphibians can also be social, sophisticated, even passionate, according to this series hosted by David Attenborough.

Thermal cameras examine the habits and habitats of such creatures as frogs, lizards, salamanders, turtles and snakes. Three episodes air back-to-back Sunday, with two more scheduled to air April 20.

"NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS" 8 p.m. on Comedy Central

Live from New York's Beacon Theatre, Jon Stewart hosts this benefit for autism education, with appearances from Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Maroon 5 and others. The first "Night of Too Many Stars," which aired in 2006, raised $2.6 million.

"NICK NEWS SPECIAL EDITION" 9 p.m. on Nickelodeon

Taking a kid's-eye view toward politics, Linda Ellerbee hosts the second in a series of three programs on the presidential election process. A third broadcast is scheduled for October.

"VIVA HOLLYWOOD" 10:30 p.m. on VH1

Twelve aspiring Latino stars move in to "Casa de Locos" to vie for a role in an upcoming Telemundo telenovela, "Viva Hollywood." The contestants, who must master the "seven deadly sins" of the telenovela format, look to impress celebrity judges Maria Conchita Alonso and Carlos Ponce. Guest judges such as Daisy Fuentes and Perez Hilton will also weigh in. On Monday at 10 p.m., another weekly competition, Miss Rap Supreme, begins, with 10 budding female rappers seeking a shot at $100,000.

Monday, April 14:

"AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: WALT WHITMAN" 9 p.m. on PBS

He hoped to deter the nation from a civil war and longed for his thoughtfully written words to reach a wide audience. The life of Walt Whitman one of America's first great poets, is chronicled in this documentary that features the voice of actor Chris Cooper as Whitman. Actor J.K. Simmons narrates.

"THE PAPER" 10:30 p.m. on MTV

The staff of a South Florida high school newspaper shows viewers how they get the scoop in this new unscripted series. The show follows students at Cypress Bay High School as they sell advertising, gather information and put out the Circuit.

Wednesday, April 16:

"UNDER ONE ROOF" 8 p.m. on MNTV

The chaos that ensues when an ex-con (rapper Flavor Flav) moves in with his conservative brother (Kelly Perine) is front and center in this new comedy series. In the pilot, the newest member of the house is the suspect of choice when items begin mysteriously disappearing.

"ILLICIT: THE DARK TRADE" 8 p.m. on PBS

This documentary illustrates how legitimate businesses " and entire governments " are undermined by illegal trade, a $3 trillion industry covering goods as varied as weapons-grade uranium, knockoff designer purses and even humans.