WEEKEND TV : It’s Time for Laughs on ‘Saturday’

Comedies will highlight the weekend’s viewing choices, with the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live,” hosted by actor Nicolas Cage tonight on NBC (4)(36)(39) at 11:30. The musical guest is R&B; singer Bobby Brown.

Also returning is Fox’s “In Living Color,” (Sunday, 8 p.m., Channels 11, 6) featuring four Los Angeles riot-themed skits, starring Jim Carrey, Kim Wayans and David Alan Grier.

Other laughs on Sunday can be found in the premieres of Fox’s new “The Ben Stiller Show,” 7:30 p.m. and “Woops!,” 10:30 p.m. (11)(6), and HBO’s “One-Night Stand: Colin Quinn,” at 10 p.m.

Other weekend shows include:

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Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” looks at the black caucus from a legal perspective, the problems facing Philadelphia and interviews with singer Gloria Estefan and actor Andy Garcia, 6 a.m (4); 7 a.m. (36)(39). . . .

Bill Clinton’s campaign senior adviser James Carville guests on “Evans and Novak,” 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Jack Kemp, secretary of housing and urban development, and Robert Shapiro, Bill Clinton’s economics adviser, guest on “Newsmaker Saturday,” 10:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

Rep. Stephen Solarz (D-N.Y.) talks about incumbents’ vulnerability on “Firing Line,” 1:30 p.m. (28). . . .

Mexico’s president Carlos Salinas de Gortari guests on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2 p.m. (28). . . .

Ross Perot’s expected return, President Bush’s alleged role in the Iran-Contra affair and political debates are the topics on “The Capital Gang,” 4 and 8:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Bush and Clinton on the campaign trail and political ad wars are the topics on “The McLaughlin Group,” 4:30 p.m. (4). . . .

Gloria Toote of President Bush’s African-American advisory council, and Reps. Charles Wrangel (D-N.Y.) and William Jefferson (D-La.) guest on “Both Sides With Jesse Jackson,” 6 p.m., (also Monday, midnight) CNN. . . .

Journalists on debate panels, the press and Ross Perot and newspaper endorsements are the topics on “Reliable Sources,” 6:30 p.m. CNN.

SUNDAY: D.A. candidate Gil Garcetti guests on “News Conference,” 5:30 a.m. (4) . . .

Pat Robertson of the Christian Coalition and Phyllis Schlafly, president of the Eagle Forum, discuss the view from the far right on “Meet the Press,” 7 a.m. (4)(39); 8 a.m. (36). . . .

Shark-watcher Jean Michael Cousteau and British actress Pippa Hinchley guest on “Sunday Today,” 6 a.m. (4)(39); 7 a.m. (36). . . .

The future of major league baseball, the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Highway, glass-blower Dale Chihuly, Seattle’s exotic coffee craze and the life of a Russian farm family are the topics on “Sunday Morning,” 7:30 a.m. (2); 8 a.m. (8). . . .

The Perot factor is discussed on “Newsmaker Sunday,” 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Race relations in Rio de Janeiro is the topic on “Tony Brown’s Journal,” 9:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“Business World,” examines the global currency market, 10 a.m. (42); 11 a.m. (7)(3). . . . “L.A. Extra” profiles a controversial West Hollywood school for gay and lesbian education, 10 a.m. (7). . . .

California’s vehicle smog check program is examined on “Midday Sunday,” 11 a.m. (11). . . .

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

Budget Director Richard Darman and Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) discuss taxes, trade and jobs on “Face the Nation,” 3 p.m. (2); 11:30 p.m. (8). . . . “60 Minutes” examines the government’s alleged role in exporting jobs to Central America, Billy Bulger, president of the Massachusetts Senate, and hemophiliacs infected with HIV, 7 p.m. (2)(8).

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Specials and Movies: Shannen Doherty plays a young woman in love with an older man (William Devane) in Sunday’s ABC movie “Obsessed,” 9 p.m. (7)(3)(10)(42); a TV reporter (Connie Selleca) finds she is living with an unfaithful husband (Kevin Dobson) in Sunday’s CBS movie “A House of Secrets and Lies,” 9 p.m. (2)(8).

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Sports: College Football: San Diego State at UCLA, today, 12:30 p.m. (7)(3)(10)(42). . . . Pro Football: Atlanta at Chicago, 10 a.m. Sunday, (2)(8); Pittsburgh at Green Bay, 1 p.m., Sunday, (4). . . . Tennis: Davis Cup, semifinals, U.S. vs. Sweden, today, 1 p.m. ESPN.

For a complete list of sports events on TV, see Section C.