WEEKEND TV : Clinton in Spirited Debate on Tax Reform

President Clinton’s new agenda and his proposed middle-class income-tax cut will be hot items on many of the public service programs this weekend. Also, holiday-themed series and movies help television get into the spirit.

In pro football, both the Rams and the Raiders will be seen Sunday on local television.

Weekend shows include:

Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” looks at getting through the holidays without weight gain or stress, and musical gifts, 5 a.m. (4); 6 a.m. (39)(36). . . .

Leon Panetta, White House Chief of Staff, discusses President Clinton’s new agenda on “Evans and Novak,” 9:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

The middle-class tax cut will be analyzed by Reps. David Drier (R-Calif.) and Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on “Newsmaker Saturday,” 10:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

CNN’s Larry King talks about gender bias in radio on PBS’ “To the Contrary,” 12:30 p.m. (28). . . .

The Bell Curve controversy is the topic on “Firing Line,” 1:30 p.m. (28). . . .

Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) appears on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2 p.m. (28). . . .

President Clinton’s mid-term adjustments and new tax proposals are discussed by Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) on “Both Sides With Jesse Jackson,” 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Income-tax cuts and Jimmy Carter’s mission to Bosnia are the subjects on “The Capital Gang,” 4 and 8:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Educating college athletes while fielding a winning team is discussed on “Think Tank,” 4:30 p.m. (28). . . .

Movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert review the holiday lineup, and the Rockettes of Radio City Music Hall and the cast of Ford Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” appear on “Larry King Weekend,” 6 p.m., CNN. . . .

President Clinton’s and the GOP’s tax cuts go around the table on “The McLaughlin Group,” 6:30 p.m. (4); Sunday, 11 a.m. (15).