Remote patrol

Repeats! Practically everything on network prime-time tonight is a repeat. Why? Some theories: (1) Another all-important ratings "sweep" begins Thursday, so the networks are saving the good stuff for that. (2) ABC, which usually tosses shows around its schedule like pillows in a rec room, gets cold feet when it comes to "NYPD Blue," which explains why we're going to see a year-old repeat at 9 p.m. on Channel 9 instead of a new episode of "Cupid," a show that could've used the added exposure. (3) Networks order 22 episodes a season of each program, which leaves 30 weeks in a year to fill with encores and the like. There are fresh episodes of three NBC sitcoms (whoopee), beginning at 7 on Channel 41. My pick: parts 3 and 4 of "I'll Make Me a World: A Century of African-American Arts," beginning at 8 on Channel 19.