To get a kick out of TV today, you must either subscribe to HBO or enjoy soccer.
* "World Cup Soccer: Italy vs. Spain" (noon-conclusion, WJZ, Channel 13) -- Italy's last game, in which Roberto Baggio scored the tying and winning goals in a thrilling victory over Nigeria, provided some of the most intense excitement of this year's World Cup to date. Spain, which Italy will face today, has yet to lose a game in this year's Cup. This ought to be a good match, which means more than one "Goooooooal!" ABC.
* "World Cup Soccer: Brazil vs. Netherlands" (3:35 p.m.-conclusion, WJZ, Channel 13) -- Brazil is the team that elbowed the United States out of the tournament last weekend, literally. Yet it's a beautiful team to watch, because of its skillful and inventive ball-handling -- and the Netherlands has proven rather adept at that also. ABC.
* "In a New Light '94" (8 p.m.-10 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Barbara Walters is host of this third annual AIDS-awareness special, which may be the only TV production to feature, on the same show, Lou Reed, Bill Cosby, Luke Perry and Kathy Mattea. ABC.
* "Muddling Through" (9 p.m.-9:30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Stephanie Hodge stars as a woman recently paroled from prison after shooting her unfaithful husband. Jennifer Aniston is as one of two bad-news daughters who Ms. Hodge's character returns to help muddle through. CBS.
Cable
* "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (noon-2 p.m., USA) -- Otherwise known as the nocturnal adventures of
Freddy and the Dreamers.
* "A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 2: Freddy's Revenge" (2 p.m.-4 p.m., USA) -- Making you sit through the sequel is "Revenge" enough.
* "A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child" (4 p.m.-6 p.m., USA) -- Not to be picky, but why would USA run a "Nightmare" marathon and skip Parts 3 and 4?
* "America and the Courts" (7 p.m.-9 p.m., C-SPAN) -- This two-hour special is devoted to the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Stephen Breyer. Yeah, like America would sit still and watch a lengthy, technical televised hearing.
* "The Firm" (8 p.m.-10:30 p.m., HBO) -- Tom Cruise is very good in this 1993 thriller, but the film is buoyed by an outstanding supporting cast -- especially by Gene Hackman, Gary Busey and Holly Hunter.