The Latest on TV: Zac is Back and More

Notable movies and other programs on TV for Monday August 13 to Sunday August 19:

- MUST-SEE OF THE WEEK: Drama tweens and musical queens alike will be tuning in to The Disney Channel Friday night for the premiere of High School Musical 2. Kenny Ortega returns as director/choreographer, leading his cast, headlined by current "It" boy Zac Efron (pictured) in the sure to be successful next chapter in HSM mania.

For more on the movie, LaughingPlace.com has a complete viewer's guide, Entertainment Weekly gives a behind-the-scenes look and Playbill.com has a full rundown of the weekend's schedule, which includes special sing-along airings and more.

And to get you in the mood a little early, the soundtrack albumgoes on sale Tuesday. (Click the link to pre-order the CD from Amazon.com.)

- AMC will air a couple of interesting documentaries this week: Dial H for Hitchcock on Tuesday and Rated R: Republicans in Hollywood on Friday. The latter seeks to answer the question "could Hollywood be more conservative than we think?"

- Gore Vidal, author of Myra Breckinridge and Caligula, is scheduled to appear on Monday's Henry Rollins Show on IFC.

- Turner Classic Movies continues their "Summer Under the Stars" with a week's worth of star-a-day salutes. Following is my pick for the day's best bet, along with other notable programming.

• Monday - June Allyson: The Opposite Sex. Yep, it's the musical remake of The Women in all its letterboxed glory - plus Joan Collins and Delores Gray!
• Tuesday - Ernest Borgnine: From Here to Eternity.
• Wednesday - Joan Bennett: Father of the Bride.
• Thursday - Elvis Presley: Viva Las Vegas (with a red-hot Ann-Margret).
• Friday - Maureen O'Hara: The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
• Saturday - Spencer Tracy: Inherit the Wind.
• Sunday - Errol Flynn: The Adventures of Robin Hood. Plus: the documentary The Adventures of Erroll Flynn.

Click on the network links to find the show times in your area. All programming is subject to change.

Links via Disney.go.com, Imdb.com, LaughingPlace.com, EW.com, Playbill.com, AMCTV.com, IFC.com and TCM.com.