WEEKEND TV : Tuning In to Radio’s Wavelength

Television will resemble radio this weekend with plenty of news, talk and a taste of Halloween.

CBS “Sunday Morning” will provide some of the news at 8 a.m. on Channels 2 and 8 as the show pays tribute to the 45th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the world peace organization’s renewed influence and effectiveness during recent world crises.

Meanwhile, “60 Minutes,” Sunday at 7 p.m. (2)(8), features an interview with beleaguered author Salmon Rushdie, who has spent the last two years hiding from a death threat imposed by the late Ayatollah Khomeini. The program also reports on how the movie ratings system works and the 1948 killing of CBS correspondent George Polk in Athens and the alleged cover up of the crime by Greek authorities.

The radio portion of the TV schedule kicks off Sunday at 1 a.m. with Channel 4’s debut of “David Viscott at Night,” a live call-in show hosted by the nationally syndicated talk radio therapist and problem-solver.

Radio and TV interviewer Larry King brings his own talky style to network television Sunday at 8 p.m. (4)(36)(39) in “Sunday Night With Larry King.” Guests featured on this talk/variety special include: Sylvester Stallone, Bart Simpson, David Letterman, and Siegfried and Roy.

Finally, “National Geographic Explorers’ ” Halloween special airs on TBS Sunday at 6 p.m. The program features segments on the vampire bats of Trinidad, a man who wrangles bugs and insects for the movie industry and the people who travel to Thailand to drink snake blood because they believe it can improve failing health and revive sexual powers.

Other weekend shows include:

TODAY Ron Brown, chairman of the Democratic National Committee is interviewed on “Evans & Novak,” 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Newsmaker Saturday” talks with John Sununu, White House chief of staff, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

California Secretary of State candidates Joan Milke Flores and March Fong Eu and Controller candidates Gray Davis and Matt Fong guest on “Newsmakers,” 3:30 p.m. (2). . . .

“The West” checks out a televangelist in San Francisco, the presidency of the Navajo nation and photographer Bob Tur, 4 p.m. (4). . . .

“Inside Washington” airs at 4:30 p.m. (28). . . .

“Medical Waste: Dumping on Small Town America” examines the politics of medical waste disposal, 6 p.m. CNN. . . .

“American Chronicles” focuses on boxer George Foreman, 9:30 p.m. (11)(6).

SUNDAY “News Conference” debates Propositions 131 and 140, which would impose term limitations on legislators, 6:30 a.m. (4). . . .

“Sunday Today” reports on New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio, the fatal smog in a Pennsylvania town in 1948 and feline behavior, 7 a.m. (4)(36)(39). . . .

“Meet the Press” airs at 8:30 a.m. (4)(36)(39). . . .

“The McLaughlin Group” talks about winners and losers in the budget battle and public sentiment about the situation in the Persian Gulf, 9 a.m (4), 5:30 p.m. (50). . . . “Tony Brown’s Journal” visits with New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy, 9:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“American Interests” debates whether mutual suspicions could hinder a U.S.-Mexico partnership, 10 a.m. (28). . . .

“Business World” begins at 11 a.m. (7)(3)(42). . . .

“This Week With David Brinkley” follows at 11:30 a.m. (7)(3)(42), 10:30 a.m. (10). . . .

“Face the Nation” airs at 4:30 p.m. (2), 11:30 p.m. (8).