THE DAILY NEWS WATCH-O-RAMA HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS OF THE COMING TV WEEK.

Byline: David Kronke

``Nova: Mars Dead or Alive''

(KCET; 8 tonight and Tuesday)

Think: Documentary on the great measures taken to figure out if Mars might possibly have been able to sustain life somewhere in the past. And if there's an armada there readying itself to attack Earth.

Don't think: The disappearance of those probes dispatched to the Red Planet sure could make this anticlimactic.

In a nutshell: Produced more like a reality show than a documentary, with scientists admitting getting tears in their eyes and so on. Unless those space rovers miraculously reappear, this will be more a eulogy than revelatory science.

``Jonathan Creek: Black Canary''

(BBC America; 9 tonight)

Think: An eccentric sleuthing team - a magician's assistant (Alan Davies) and his neurotic pal (Caroline Quentin) - investigate the apparent suicide of a once-famous magician. Of course it gets exponentially more convoluted from there.

Don't think: Oh, and well, of course the victim's daughter (Kate Isitt) is our hero's long-lost love.

In a nutshell: Notice that we said ``apparent suicide'' of a magician and it's not hard to foresee at least a partial resolution. Droll humor carries the day, though.

``The Day I Will Never Forget''

(Cinemax; Monday at 6:30 p.m.)

Think: Documentary on female circumcision in Kenya.

Don't think: The day I will never forget is the day I'm talked into watching a documentary on female circumcision in Kenya.

In a nutshell: Eye-opening, jaw-dropping glimpse at a most exotically inexplicable form of brutal cruelty.

``House of Dreams''

(A&E; Monday at 9 p.m.)

Think: George Wendt (``Cheers'') hosts a reality competition show in which 16 people collaborate to build a dream home, then stab each other in the back in order to take sole possession of it.

Don't think: Would you really want to live in a house that you jobbed 15 other people out of? Especially since some of them probably expected not to win and may have sabotaged the project and you'll be dealing with squeaking doors and a leaky roof for the rest of your days?

In a nutshell: Framed as a typical ``Survivor'' rip-off, only they're just building a house: How often do you sit around watching construction workers toil away?

``Airline''

(A&E; Monday at 10 p.m.)

Think: Series delving behind the scenes at Southwest Airlines as employees deal with sundry crises: drunken passengers, irate customers, stinky passengers.

Don't think: Can I get frequent-flier miles by watching?

In a nutshell: Watching Southwest employees negotiate these wince-inducing confrontations almost makes you forgive all the indignities and inconveniences you have to contend with at airports these days. Almost.

``Average Joe 2''

(NBC Channel 4; Monday at 10 p.m.)

Think: Another babe is saddled with a dozen doofuses or so to romance, this time in Hawaii, as if that'll change anything.

Don't think: ``Joe Millionaire 2'' tanked because people had had their fill of the dumb idea; this one wasn't even all that big a hit. Even Kathy Griffin isn't around to wax snarky.

In a nutshell: ``These guys aren't who I'd usually be interested in,'' our victimized beauty understates; this show isn't what we'd usually be interested in. ``Half of me just wants to cry right now,'' she later says; you'll empathize.

``Made in America''

(Travel Channel; Tuesday at 9 p.m.)

Think: John Ratzenberger travels to small towns that are defined by a single, possibly quirky industry, such as building tractors or making board games.

Don't think: Boy, you think these ``Cheers'' guys could've parlayed that show into something more than hosting dinky reality shows.

In a nutshell: Cute idea, but is it enough to sustain a series?

``The Chris Isaak Show''

(Showtime; Thursday at 10 p.m.; Friday at 11:30 p.m.)

Think: Final-season premiere of the affably oddball comedy about the rock musician, his eccentric band members and fizzily fretful manager.

Don't think: This show deserved a bigger audience, but you know, he did kind of do the same songs over and over on the show.

In a nutshell: Tonight, Chris makes an ill-advised trip to an Indian casino. Next week, Chris embarks on an ill-advised campaign to be elected parking commissioner. Then, Chris does some ill-advised matchmaking - you get the idea. Chris's ill-advised misadventures make for some amusing moments.

``CMT Crossroads''

(CMT; Friday at 9 p.m.)

Think: Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews perform a handful of duets.

Don't think: The time spent on chatting and interstitial material might more usefully be spent on musical performances.

In a nutshell: There are a hundred people who might be more interesting duet partners for Harris (Matthews fans might harbor similar if diametrically opposed opinions), but this is pleasant nonetheless.

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Photo:

(color) ``AVERAGE JOE 2''