SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : Letterman, watch out: Space Ghost is ready for his heroic debut

Get set for the return of Hanna Barbera’s super hero Space Ghost. This time around, however, instead of leading an all-cartoon adventure show, the intrepid adventurer hosts an irreverent talk fest a la “The Tonight Show.”

Space Ghost: Coast to Coast combines live-action and animation, with real celebrity guests taped at a location convenient to them. Atlanta-based Ghost George Lowe (taking over for Gary Owens) phones his questions in to them. Space Ghost animation is added to the mix later. “We just have to make sure the guests are looking in the right direction,” says Mike Lazzo, Cartoon Network programming executive.

On the premiere, diet guru Susan Powter, comedian Kevin Meaney and the Bee Gees will be guests of the animated Space Ghost accompanied by his TV band--led by former archenemies Moltar and Zorak.

An upcoming “Gilligan’s Island” tribute show will feature Bob Denver (Gilligan), Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) and Russell Johnson (The Professor). Future guests include Catherine Bach (“African Skies”), Ice and Tower of “American Gladiator,” Ashley Judd, Timothy Leary and Judy Tenuta.

“Space Ghost is your basic super hero,” says Lazzo, whose idea it was to bring the animated crime fighter back. The original cartoon ran on CBS from 1966 to 1968 and returned on NBC in 1987-88. “He has many powers: a wrist-band ray gun, freeze rays, and his main power: the ability to go invisible.”

“The great thing about Space Ghost is that he’ll be returning at a time when heroes like X-Men and Batman are especially popular,” Lazzo adds. “But here we have a hero working with his former enemies and there’s a completely loopy, nutty spin, making something for both kids and their parents.”

“Space Ghost: Coast to Coast” premieres Friday at 8-8:15 p.m. on the Cartoon Network. A three-hour marathon of the original cartoon will run beforehand from 5 to 8 p.m. For ages 8 and up.

More Family Shows

Based on James Burke’s 1970s series “Connections,” Connections2 (Sunday 5-5:30 a.m. and 9-9:30 p.m. Learning Channel) looks at the origins and unexpected relationships of modern life and technology. The show hopes to illustrate how change happens, knowledge increases and why innovation occurs--and how they are are all linked. Some of the connections examined include the links among fertilizer, Italian cemeteries, safety matches and landing on the moon. Another connection to be explored: How the “secret of the universe” is connected with a medieval Buddhist tea ceremony. For ages 12 and up.

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In the Adventures in Wonderland special “Weed Shall Overcome” (Wednesday 7:30-8 a.m. and 6:30-7 p.m. Disney), the Red Queen’s plans for a new royal tennis court are delayed when the Walrus discovers a rare plant growing on the site. When it turns out that the little weed is actually the last of its kind, Wonderland’s residents band together to persuade the reluctant Queen to save the poor plant from extinction. For ages 2 to 9.

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Five new episodes of Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (Saturday 6-7 p.m. Family Channel) begin with “The Hostage.” The town’s rapid growth causes progress and trouble. The drunken revelries on the streets of Paterson’s Ridge prompt pastor Colin McGregor to offer a reward for information about the newly arrived moonshiners. Colin’s daughter, Danni, is taken hostage by the moonshiners when their identities are disclosed. For ages 8 and up.