WEEKEND TV : Lost Worlds Discovered on Discovery

Television options this weekend range from delving into ancient civilizations to exploring up-to-the-minute issues with presidential candidates.

The Discovery Channel’s “Searching for Lost Worlds,” a five-part series premiering Sunday at 9 p.m., explores the stories behind some of the most important archeological and anthropological discoveries of the 20th century, including the tombs of King Tut in Egypt and dinosaur eggs on the Gobi Desert. The series continues through Wednesday at 9 p.m.

Dan Rather narrates “Desert Triumph,” a new documentary chronicling the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Sunday at 6 and 9 p.m. on the Learning Channel.

Six hundred U.S. citizens have gathered at the University of Texas to discuss and debate key public policy matters in the “National Issues Convention,” tonight and Sunday at 8 p.m. (28). Republican presidential candidates address the issues tonight; the Democrats are featured Sunday.

On the TV movie front, Ed Harris and Amy Madigan star in the latest screen adaptation of Zane Grey’s classic western “Riders of the Purple Sage,” airing Sunday at 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m. on TNT.

The talk-show spoof “Night Stand With Dick Dietrick” moves to Sunday at 11 p.m. (13). This week’s guest is talk-show host Jerry Springer.

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Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” has segments on how to have a safe house; personal finances; women’s health; pregnancy and child care, 6 a.m.(4)(36)(39). . . .

“Evans & Novak” arrives at 5:30 p.m., repeats Sunday 10 a.m. CNN. . . .

Sen. William Cohen (R-Me.) discusses his retirement on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2:30 p.m. (28). . . .

Hillary Clinton controversies, flat tax and the federal budget are discussed on “Capital Gang,” 4 p.m., 10:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Inside Politics Weekend” interviews GOP presidential candidate Patrick Buchanan, 4:30 p.m.; repeats 7:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Milton Berle appears on “Larry King Weekend,” 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., CNN.

SUNDAY: “Sunday Journal” airs at 5 a.m. C-SPAN. . . .

Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas guests on “News Conference,” 5:30 a.m. (4). . . .

“Sunday Today” looks at director John Schlesinger and singer/jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli, 6 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

“Meet the Press” guests will be White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, Rep. Richard Armey (R-Tex.) and Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.), 7 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

“Sunday Morning” features New Hampshire voters and the State of the Union; saxophonist Cynthia Sykes; 7:30 a.m. (2). . . .

“Face the Nation” arrives at 9 a.m. (2); 9:30 a.m. (8). . . .

Dr. William Regelson discusses melatonin on “Tony Brown’s Journal,” 9:30 a.m. (28). . . .

Labor Secretary Robert Reich, columnist Cal Thomas and NOW’s Kim Gandy debate affirmative action on “Both Sides With Jesse Jackson,” 9:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

“This Week With David Brinkley” looks at the flat tax, the budget and politics with Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes, Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), 10 a.m. (7); 10:30 a.m. (10); 11:30 a.m. (3)(42). . . .

“Life & Times” reports on the controversial pesticide methyl bromide, 10:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“Reliable Sources” reports on the decline of tabloid and talk TV with “Inside Edition’s” Deborah Norville and Steven Isenberg, former publisher of New York Newsday, 3:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Bob Navarro’s Journal” talks with Gil Garcetti about his campaign for reelection as Los Angeles district attorney, 3:30 p.m. (2). . . .

The controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton is the topic on “Capital Gang Sunday,” 4 p.m., repeats 1:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

“Crossfire Sunday” guests will be former presidential speech-writers Henrick Hertzberg and Mary Kan Cary, 4:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“60 Minutes” deals with Chinese orphanages, interviews Bruce Springsteen and looks back at the Challenger disaster, 7 p.m. (2)(8).

Specials and Movies: USA’s Arnold Schwarzenegger marathon begins today at 1 p.m. with “Hercules in New York.” The 1970 camp fave is followed by “Conan the Destroyer” at 3 p.m., “The Terminator” at 5 p.m. and “Kindergarten Cop” at 7 p.m.

John Ritter and Henry Winkler host the annual “Star-athon ‘96: United Cerebral Palsy Telethon,” tonight from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. (9).

Sports: Basketball--UCLA at Arizona, today, 11 a.m. (7) (3) (10) (42); Football--Senior Bowl, today, 11 a.m. TBS; Basketball--USC at Arizona State, today, 3 p.m. Prime; Hockey--All-Star Game, today, 5 p.m. (11) (6); Basketball--Cavaliers at Lakers, tonight, 7:30 p.m. Prime; Bulls at Pistons, Sunday, 9 a.m. (4)(36)(39).

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