George Lucas’ ‘Defenders of Dynatron City’ joins Fox animation on Saturdays

George Lucas, the producer who brought us “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” is behind the new animated fantasy special “Defenders of Dynatron City.”

But that probably won’t matter to most kids. What they will be excited about is that “Defenders” is the TV counterpart for the Nintendo game of the same name scheduled for release in April. So parents beware--if kids like the show, they’ll soon be clamoring for the software.

The superhero fantasy revolves around characters such as Ms. Megawatt, Jet Headstrong, Buzzsaw Girl and Radium Dog. These are the good characters, who have the specialized superpowers necessary to stop an evil scientist, Dr. Mayhem, planning to control the world with the use of atomic soda syrup. Parents will recognize the voices of Christopher Walken and Whoopi Goldberg.

Meanwhile, the weekday series “Tiny Toon Adventures,” by Lucas’ famous partner Steven Spielberg, returns with a new Valentine’s Day-themed episode based on the movie “Sunset Boulevard.”

“Defenders of Dynatron City,” Saturday 10-10:30 a.m. Fox. For 6- to 13-year-olds.

“Tiny Toon Adventures: Sepulveda Blvd.,” Monday 5-5:30 p.m. KTTV. For 2- to 10-year-olds.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

In Paul Rodriguez: Back to School (Sunday 10-11 p.m. Fox), which is being billed as a “docu-comedy,” the comedian talks with high-school students from various socioeconomic strata about the pressures of living in today’s society. For ages 11 and up.

The Wonderworks film “Brother Future” (Monday 1-2 p.m. KCET) tells the story of a modern-day hustler in Detroit who is transported back in time to the antebellum South--where he’s arrested as a runaway slave. For 8- to 16-year-olds.

Comedian Tracey Ullman and electric jazz violinist Jean Luc Ponty team up for an animated version of the French story “Puss In Boots” (Tuesday 7-7:30 p.m. Showtime) on We All Have Tales. In the story, a miller’s son is bequeathed an unusual gift: A very intelligent tomcat. For 2- to 11-year-olds.

Miss Piggy, Kermit and the Muppet gang get a lesson in museum appreciation in Don’t Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Tuesday 8-9 p.m. Disney Channel). In the story, the Muppets meet the spirit of an Egyptian Prince who misses his parents. For 2- to 5-year-olds.

Three episodes of Life & Times (7:30-8 p.m. KCET) focus on local education: “Dr. Chan’s Crusade” (Tuesday) profiles Yvonne Chan, principal of the Vaughn Street Elementary School in Pacoima, who is striving to create a family-centered social services role for her school. “Two Schools at Twenty” (Wednesday) looks at schools in Pasadena and Santa Monica with alternative ethnic curricula. “Those Who Can, Teach” (Thursday) profiles traveling science teacher Christopher Holle and attorney-turned-teacher John Ross. For parents.

Nickelodeon’s Wild Side Show (Friday 7-7:30 p.m. and Saturday 6-6:30 p.m. Nickelodeon), taped in part at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, gets up-close and personal with tarantulas, screaming apes and wild sea lions. For all ages.

“The Last Prom,” a Young People’s Special (Saturday 5:30-6 a.m. KNBC) looks at the tragic consequences of drunk driving among teens. For ages 11 and up.

Backstage at the Zoo (Saturday 10:30-11 a.m. Family Channel), which visits superior zoos all over the world, looks at the United States’ own National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and its efforts to preserve endangered elephants, gorillas, white rhinos and Bengal tigers. For all ages.