Weekend TV : Fund-Raisers, Holiday Spirit and Presidential Politics on the Agenda

Television viewers who find themselves touched with the holiday spirit of giving will find several opportunities to dip into their pockets this weekend.

Public television station KCET Channel 28 kicks off a nine-day pledge drive today with a wealth of programs fitting this year’s theme, “Your Home for the Holidays.” This evening’s lineup includes the work and music of Lawrence Welk (6:30 p.m.), Bing Crosby (8 p.m.) and Irving Berlin (9:30 p.m.).

Sunday’s pledge programming includes two “Nature” programs on the Holy Land’s wilderness beginning at 5 p.m., with a “Great Performances” salute to Broadway by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Liza Minnelli and Nell Carter capping the night at 10:20.

USA cable provides a different kind of fund raising Sunday, a six-hour telethon to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation starting at 4 p.m. Michael Landon and Gloria Loring will host.

The holiday spirit also prevails for the annual “Hollywood Christmas Parade,” which KTLA Channel 5 will cover live Sunday at 6 p.m. (5). Bob Eubanks and Lee Meriwether will anchor the coverage.

On a more serious note, David Frost’s 13-week series called “The Next President” debuts Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 13. Frost kicks off this series about the campaign and the candidates by interviewing President Reagan and former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.