A&E's "Child Stars: Their Story" illicits sympathy for its subject.

Just because a kid actor pulls in five figures a week, is adored by millions and lives an extravagant lifestyle doesn't always equal happiness.

"Being 9 years old with a hit TV show is a complex experience: part joy ride, part labor camp, a perverse mix of blessing and curse that affects different kids in different ways," says ex-child star Hayley Mills, who narrates the two-hour documentary at 8 p.m. Monday.

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"Child Stars" illustrates the traditionally held view that kid actors aren't allowed to be kids. They grow up almost as adults and learn how to be a child as they get older.

There's stress from parents and peers because of the money they make and the stature they hold. They're expected to exhibit the same work ethic as adults, but are required to maintain their place as a kid.

And there's the trauma of being washed up and without an identity while going through the process of adolescence.

With such mounting pressure, it's no wonder some wind up maladjusted, hooked on drugs or booze, or turning to suicide.

"Child Stars" talks to more than 30 ex-kid stars. Included are Patty Duke ("The Patty Duke Show"), Fred Savage ("The Wonder Years"), Jerry Mathers ("Leave it to Beaver"), Todd Bridges ("Diff'rent Strokes"), Jackie Cooper ("The Champ"), Kim Fields ("The Facts of Life"), Sara Gilbert ("Roseanne") and Margaret O'Brien ("Meet Me in St. Louis").

But "Child Stars" is far from perfect. Its beginning two segments are choppy and disjointed. It would have been nice if the producers, which include former child stars Tony Dow ("Beaver") and Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie"), had talked to current kid actors about their experiences.

One of the most infamous side effects of pint-size celebrity -- criminal acts and drug use -- gets short shrift compared to such topics as family problems and money woes.

Sunday Does Oprah know about this? Bozo the Clown reviews kids books in conjunction with the Chicago Public Library on his "Super Sunday" show" at 7 a.m. on WGN-Ch. 9.

Showtime's "The Outer Limits," ends its five-year run with a two-hour sendoff at 7 p.m. Amanda Plummer reprises her Emmy-winning role as a doctor sentenced to death for crimes against society in 2076. The finale caps an eight-hour marathon starting at 1 p.m.


Leeza Gibbons takes over as anchor of syndicated news magazine "Extra" at 4 p.m. on WMAQ-Ch. 5.

Bawdy actor and animal rights champion Betty White is profiled on Lifetime's "Intimate Portrait" at 6 p.m.

UPN's new season begins with the sixth-season premiere of "Moesha" at 7 p.m., followed by the second-season debut of "The Parkers" at 7:30 p.m., on WPWR-Ch. 50.

"The Democratic Promise: Saul Alinsky and His Legacy," a profile of the fiery Chicago activist, is at 7:30 p.m. on WTTW-Ch. 11. Alec Baldwin narrates.

Now they count. Dennis Miller and the rest of the ABC "Monday Night Football" team open the season with the Super Bowl-winning St. Louis Rams and the Denver Broncos at 8 p.m. on WLS-Ch. 7.