WEEKEND TV : Earth Day Specials and Arthritis Telethon

On TV this weekend, there’ll be a whole lot of saving going on.

Saving kids from drugs is the goal of “Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue,” airing today at 9:30 a.m. on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox and at 7:30 a.m. on Channel 13. This animated special, featuring well-known cartoon characters, is designed to help young children recognize and understand the dangers of drug abuse. The program also airs at other times today on several cable networks.

Saving the planet is Sunday’s theme as TV stations trot out all kinds of programs in honor of Earth Day, capped off by the celebrity-studded “Earth Day Special” at 9 p.m. (7)(3)(10)(42). CNN’s “World Report” focuses on scores of environmental concerns all over the world Sunday at noon and 9 p.m.

Locally, Channel 2 airs “Happy Earth Day 2 You” at 9:30 a.m. and again at 5 p.m., which will offer reports on local environmental issues and personal techniques for stopping the destruction of our native habitat. And Barry Commoner, noted environmentalist and author, will discuss his ecological concerns on “News Conference” at 9:30 a.m. (4). See below for listings of other Earth Day-related programming.

Saving people from the pain of arthritis is the task of the annual “Arthritis Foundation Telethon,” Sunday at 8 a.m. on Channel 13. Sarah Purcell, Mickey Gilley and Larry Van Nuys host the eight-hour fund-raiser.