SMALL SCREEN THE BUZZ ON TELEVISION.

Byline: - Compiled by Valerie Kuklenski

BLACKLIST BROUHAHA: The Hollywood blacklist era was a contentious time when careers were broken because of one individual's accusations against another. Fifty years later, the accusations still are flying, but they have nothing to do with political affiliations. Tonight PBS will screen Lionel Chetwynd's documentary ``Darkness at High Noon,'' which posits that screenwriter Carl Foreman had his ``High Noon'' producer credit taken from him by partner Stanley Kramer after Foreman was cited for his past communist affiliations. ``Darkness'' is told primarily from the late Foreman's point of view, based on old interviews, correspondence and interviews with his wives and a couple of colleagues. Kramer's widow, Karen Sharpe Kramer, has denounced the film as ``a hatchet job'' and has threatened legal action against PBS for running it. Chetwynd says Mrs. Kramer was asked for leads on sources who could refute the film's arguments, but she did not respond. In the interest of balance (which the film lacks), KCET is going nationwide with a special edition of its local ``Life & Times Tonight'' program that ``delves further into the ideas presented in the documentary.'' Guests include author Larry Suid, who interviewed both Foreman and Kramer for an upcoming book, and entertainment reporter David Robb, who is an expert on the blacklist.

DARKNESS AT HIGH NOON, 9 tonight, ECHOES OF HOLLYWOOD'S BLACKLIST: A KCET/LIFE & TIMES SPECIAL, 11 tonight, KCET.

HA-HA-HA HOUSE: When somebody says ``I'm living with a comedian!'' it's usually a sarcastic salvo in the midst of some sort of domestic dispute. NBC programmers see it as an opportunity to make more cheap television. In perhaps the most ridiculous application yet of the term ``reality series,'' NBC has announced that Jay Mohr will host an eight-episode show tentatively titled ``Funniest Person in America.'' Producers will hold a nationwide talent search for ``up to 10 real-life (male and female) comedians'' and then set them up in a house together as they compete for a prime-time development deal with the network. We're imagining a cross between ``Big Brother'' and open-mike night at the Ice House. And we're imagining watching something else.

YOU'VE GOT WINNERS: Who needs Emmys? The results are in for the second annual AOL TV Viewers Awards. ``Friends'' picked up two honors: best couple - for Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) - and best cliffhanger. Sharon Osbourne won best reality moment for flinging a ham into the yard of her noisy neighbors on ``The Osbournes.'' Probably the most deserving nod - best guilty pleasure - went to Pamela Anderson's show, ``V.I.P.'' If you find ``V.I.P.'' a pleasure, you should feel guilty.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) FOREMAN: Denied credit?

(2) MOHR

(3) ANISTON

(4) LeBLANC