WEEKEND TV : Nation of Islam March, Medicare on Agenda

The Nation of Islam’s “Million Man March,” scheduled for Monday in Washington, will dominate discussions on the public affairs shows this weekend.

PBS’ “To the Contrary” examines what the march means to African Americans, today at 1 p.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28. The march also will be discussed on “Capital Gang Saturday,” along with Medicare politics and the Republican presidential forum in New Hampshire, today at 4 and 10:30 p.m. on CNN.

“Both Sides With Jesse Jackson” devotes an hour of programming--and takes viewer calls--to the views on the march, with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, three university professors and commentator Julianne Malveaux, Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on CNN.

Farrakhan also will be on “Meet the Press” Sunday with Johnnie L. Cochran, Jesse Jackson and Rep. Gary Franks (R-Conn.) to discuss the march and the role of American black men, Sunday at 7 a.m. on Channels 4 and 36.

Later, the march’s director Benjamin Chavis and Jackson are among the guests on “Late Edition,” at 2 p.m. on CNN.

Other public affairs show topics include the O.J. Simpson trial verdict, Simpson’s canceled NBC interview, Medicare and the GOP presidential race.

Other weekend shows included:

Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” looks at laptop computers, actor James Wood and keeping children safe, 6 a.m. (4)(36). . .

House Speaker Newt Gingrich talks about the GOP agenda and his own possible presidential bid on “Evans & Novak,” 2:30 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. CNN. . .

Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan discusses a possible third party, race relations and the potential candidacy of Colin Powell on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2:30 p.m. (28). . .

“Inside Politics Weekend” reports on the political risks of the Medicare vote, with Reps. Robert Matsui (D-Sacramento) and Susan Molinari (R-N.Y.), 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. CNN. . .

“Larry King Weekend” examines the effects of the Simpson verdict, with defense attorney Gerry Spence, 6 and 11 p.m., CNN.

SUNDAY: “Sunday Today” visits SWAT team training and interviews singer-songwriter Joshua Kadison, 6 a.m. (4)(36). . .

Highlighted by a visit from former host Charles Kuralt, “Sunday Morning” goes on the road with Colin Powell and visits jazz pianist Tommy Flanagan, 7:30 a.m. (2). . .

Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) discusses politics and terrorism on “Face the Nation,” 9 a.m. (2). . .

“This Week With David Brinkley” looks at the Democrats, with Sens. Christopher Todd (D-Conn.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and former Colorado senator Gary Hart, 11:30 a.m. (7)(3)(42). . .

“Reliable Sources” discusses O.J. Simpson’s canceled interview with NBC, 3:30 p.m. CNN. . .

“60 Minutes” interviews officer Barry Brown, who broke the “blue wall of silence” to expose New York’s drug-infested 30th Precinct; a minor league baseball team in St. Paul, Minn., and how organized crime may be smuggling Russian nuclear material, 7 p.m. (2).

Specials and Movies: A&E; airs “The Menendez Brothers: Sins of the Children,” a new “Biography,” today, 5 and 9 p.m.

Dana Carvey returns to his stand-up roots with a new HBO special “Dana Carvey: Critics’ Choice,” today, 10 p.m.

“Masterpiece Theatre’s” “The Great Kandinsky” stars Richard Harris as an escape artist, Sunday, 9 p.m. (28).

CBS presents the two-part movie “Dazzle,” based on Judith Krantz’s book, stars Lisa Hartman Black and Cliff Robertson, Sunday, 9 p.m.; concludes Tuesday (2).

Sports: Pro Football: 49ers at Colts, Sunday, 10 a.m. (11); Cowboys at Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. (11) . . . Pro Hockey: Kings at Canucks, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Prime Sports.