WEEKEND TV : Talk of War Fills Cable, Networks

Thoughts of war will be on the air this weekend, while cable television will join hands for its annual night of love and industry diplomacy.

Almost every news and public affairs show on TV will debate the prospects for a diplomatic solution to the Persian Gulf standoff. Of note is KCAL Channel 9’s “Deadline in the Desert,” airing tonight at 8. This news special includes live reports from Channel 9’s David Jackson in Jordan, the perspective on war from veterans and children, and the effect a war would have on Southern California.

On Sunday at 7 p.m., NBC (4)(36)(39) will show a one-hour news special on the gulf crisis, hosted by Tom Brokaw. Addressing the theme “Is War Necessary?,” the program will discuss the number of lives that could be lost as well as the war’s expected drain on the U.S. economy.

Sunday also marks cable’s 12th annual ACE Awards, the industry’s version of the Emmys. Hosted by James Woods, the awards ceremony from the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles will be carried live by six cable channels--BET, Discovery, the Family Channel, HA!, TBS and TNT--beginning at 6 p.m. The program can be seen at 9 p.m. on Lifetime and Nick at Nite.

Other weekend shows include:

TODAY “The Capital Gang” talks about the standoff with Iraq, 4 p.m., 8 p.m. CNN. . . . “John McLaughlin’s One on One” looks at the fading chances for peace in Middle East, 2 p.m. (28).

SUNDAY War with Iraq is the topic on “News Conference,” 6:30 a.m. (4). . . .

“Sunday Today” covers the latest developments in the Persian Gulf crisis, 7 a.m. (4)(36)(39). . . .

“Sunday Morning” reports on the status of military recruiting in the U.S., violinist Midori and the photography of Evelyn Cameron, 8 a.m. (2). . . .

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

“The McLaughlin Group” airs at 9 a.m (4), 5:30 p.m. (50). . . .

“American Interests” examines whether Americans will support President Bush in launching a war against Iraq, 10 a.m.(28). . . .

“Business World” airs at 10:30 a.m. (7)(42), 11 a.m. (3). . . .

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

Candidates for the newly reapportioned L.A. County Supervisor seat debate, 6:30 p.m. (28). . . .

“60 Minutes” reports on the quality of health care for federal institution prisoners and breaking news from the Persian Gulf, 7 p.m. (2)(8). . . .

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