Weekend TV : Easter Brings Lineup of Holiday Shows; ‘I, Leonardo’ Explores Da Vinci Genius

Easter Sunday brings the annual lineup of holiday festivities to television.

The live broadcast of “Easter Sunrise Service” from the Hollywood Bowl begins on Channel 9 at 5:15 a.m.

Pope John Paul II celebrates “Easter in Rome” at 10 a.m. on Channels 4 and 39. This NBC news special chronicles all of the religious observances of this past week at the Vatican, including Easter Mass from St. Peter’s Square.

Channel 7 will broadcast an Easter celebration of a different kind Sunday at 12:30 p.m. as Alan Thicke, Joan Lunden and Regis Philbin host “Walt Disney World’s Happy Easter Parade” in Florida.

And “Bob Hope’s Easter Vacation in the Bahamas,” featuring Tony Randall, LaToya Jackson, Barbara Mandrell and Andy Williams, airs tonight at 8 p.m. (4)(36)(39).

Also tonight, Frank Langella portrays Renaissance Man extraordinaire Leonardo da Vinci at 9 p.m. in Channel 28’s encore presentation of “I Leonardo: A Journey of the Mind.” Based on the great artist’s own notes, this docudrama explores Da Vinci’s thoughts on science and art.