Family, friends and even a Cold War rival recall the enigmatic personality of our 40th President on “Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered” (8 p.m., History), with former CNN anchor Frank Sesno as host.

While Reagan projected a public confidence that won him the adulation of the American electorate, he was an intensely private man who kept everyone – at times even his beloved wife, Nancy – at a distance. Ron Reagan Jr. praises his father’s “affability” but adds that he would never allow anyone to “get through to that last 10 percent” of his personality.

Ron Jr. and Patti recall their father’s stories of his days as a lifeguard in Illinois. By the time he turned 22, Ronald Reagan had saved 77 people from drowning. Ron Jr. believes that this experience had a deep impact on the young Ronald Reagan. His son speculates, “How could he not feel like a savior?” Reagan’s instincts as a lifeguard never left him. Once, while governor of California, he jumped fully clothed into a backyard pool to pull a young girl to safety.

Members of Reagan’s cabinet and staff, including James Baker and Michael Deaver, comment on Reagan’s reaction to his recovery from an assassin’s bullets in 1981. Both men remember how Reagan felt that he was spared by God and prepared for a special purpose. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev doesn’t dispute Reagan’s providential place in history. “Who knows what would have happened,” wonders Gorbachev, “if he wasn’t there.” Family and colleagues also recall their reaction to Reagan’s Alzheimer’s and Nancy’s struggle to care for him since 1994, when the former president wrote his final farewell to the American people.

l Brooke Burke plays host to “Rank: Holiday Movies” (9 p.m., E!), presenting an offbeat list of the top 20 holiday movies of all time. The countdown includes a lot of old favorites, including the original 1947 “Miracle on 34th Street,” as well as some provocative choices. Who ever thought of “Die Hard” as a movie that embodies the Christmas spirit? Even stranger, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is rated the No. ¢ “Holiday Movie” of all time, even though the half-hour 1965 TV favorite hardly qualifies as a movie.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Sharon Osbourne discusses sudden television fame, her husband’s untidy past and her recent bout with colon cancer on “Intimate Portraits” (6 p.m., Lifetime).
• Julia Roberts won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance as a feisty legal secretary in the 2000 drama “Erin Brockovich” (7 p.m., NBC).
• A murderer uses an earthquake as an alibi on “Monk” (7 p.m., ABC).
• Eric dabbles as a deejay and counsels a depressed college student on “7th Heaven” (8 p.m., WB).
• Nobody wants to tell Marie she may need glasses on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
• San Francisco plays host to Philadelphia on “Monday Night Football” (8 p.m., ABC).
• A controversial professor meets a grisly end on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

Series notes

Carrie helps Deacon deal with the holidays on “King of Queens” (7 p.m., CBS) … Harper contends with an irate parent on “Boston Public” (7 p.m., Fox) … Shaquille O’Neal guest stars on “The Parkers” (7 p.m., UPN).

Kim and Greg decide to make a documentary about the new baby on “Yes, Dear” (7:30 p.m., CBS) … Flex needs protection on “One on One” (7:30 p.m. UPN).

Home movie fiascoes unfold on “Funniest Holiday Moments” (8 p.m., Fox) … Toni’s boyfriend lacks stature on “Girlfriends” (8 p.m., UPN) … The Browns celebrate their first Thanksgiving without mom on “Everwood” (8 p.m., WB) … Grandma favors Dee Dee on “Half and Half” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … Judy’s folks won’t leave on “Still Standing” (8:30 p.m., CBS).