Weekend TV : News Shows Focus on Bush Administration; Channel 28 Re-Airs ‘The Singing Detective’

It will only seem like the Super Bowl is the only thing on television this weekend. In fact, the nation’s new President will be getting equal time, if not equal hoopla: George Bush’s aides and advisers will be all over the tube.

Former Ambassador to Ireland and Bush confidant Walter Curley and former Bush Press Secretary Peter Teeley look ahead to the Bush years today on “Evans & Novak” at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Cable News Network.

CNN’s “Newsmaker Saturday,” airing today at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., will also speculate about the Bush Administration with Craig Fuller, former Bush transition director, Rep. Thomas Foley (D-Wash.) and Rep. Dick Cheney (R-Wyo.).

On Sunday, U.S. Atty. Gen. Richard L. Thornburgh will discuss what the role of the Justice Department will be during the Bush era on “Meet the Press,” 8:30 a.m. (4)(36)(39). The “McLaughlin Group” follows with its own opinions on the Bush presidency, First Lady Barbara Bush and the status of race relations in the United States, 9 a.m. (4), 5:30 p.m. (50).

“This Week With David Brinkley” will examine the Bush Administration in terms of foreign policy and defense with guests Brent Scowcroft, the new national security adviser, and Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, 10:30 a.m. (7)(3)(10)(42).

And as a specific alternative to the big football game, Bush’s White House Chief of Staff John Sununu will look forward to the next four years on “Face the Nation,” 4 p.m. (2), 11:30 p.m. (8).

Former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman will also comment on defense spending in the Bush Administration on “Newsmakers” at 4:30 p.m. on Channel 2.

For post-game fun, beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, KCET Channel 28 will rebroadcast parts 1 and 2 of the acclaimed British miniseries, “The Singing Detective.” Michael Gambon and Janet Suzman star in Dennis Potter’s six-part story about a crippled detective writer who blurs his own reality with the fantasy world of his characters.