Weekend TV : Networks Ready to Unleash New Post-Strike Programming in News and Entertainment

It’s a big weekend for new programming as the strike-delayed fall TV season finally lurches into first gear with news and entertainment.

CBS’s prime-time news teams are back on the streets this weekend as “West 57th” and “60 Minutes” launch another season of investigations and interviews.

Tonight at 10 p.m. on Channels 2 and 8, “West 57th” reports on law enforcement agents who use the Postal Service to stop child pornographers, talks with Clint Eastwood and profiles a financially strapped Montana farmer who tried to save his land by growing marijuana.

In its usual 7 p.m. slot on Sunday, “60 Minutes” investigates charges that a major defense contractor hid defects in the Phalanx weapon system by cheating on critical tests, visits with White House Press Secretary James Brady and his wife Sarah, and travels to Soviet Georgia, the “capitalist” republic of the Soviet Union.

Meanwhile, NBC’s 1988 version of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players hits the stage in New York at 11:30 p.m. for the 14th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” Tom Hanks hosts; Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones is the musical guest.

Other shows beginning new seasons this weekend include: CBS’ “Simon & Simon” (tonight at 9 p.m.); NBC’s Saturday night comedy lineup of “227,” “Amen,” “The Golden Girls” and the new “Empty Nest”; ABC’s “Incredible Sunday” with John Davidson and Cristina Ferrare (Sunday at 8:30 p.m.), and “The Magical World of Disney” (Sunday at 7 p.m. on NBC).