Aykroyd’s New ‘PSI’ Challenges ‘SNL’

Dan Aykroyd is going up against his old stamping grounds, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Aykroyd hosts the new syndicated series “PSI Factor,” premiering tonight at 11:35 on Channel 2. The dramatic anthology series focuses on investigators examining paranormal experiences.

“SNL,” meanwhile, opens its 22nd season tonight at 11:30 on Channel 4, with frequent host Tom Hanks and musical guests Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

Other new syndicated series premiering today are the action-fantasy “The Adventures of Sinbad,” 6 p.m. on Channel 5, and the reality show “Beach Patrol,” 4 p.m. on Channel 2.

Tim Allen, Shaquille O’Neal, LL Cool J and Coolio are among the celebrities scheduled to participate in “Nickelodeon’s Third Annual Big Help-a-thon,” beginning Sunday at 9 a.m. on the cable channel. The eight-hour event at Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier encourages children to volunteer to help out in their communities.

On the sports front, the red-hot pennant race goes into its final weekend with the Padres taking on the Dodgers today at 1 p.m. on Channel 11 and Sunday at 1 p.m. on Channel 5.

Other weekend programming:

Public Affairs: TODAY: “Evans & Novak” looks at the conflict in the Middle East with Hafez Assad, president of Syria, 2:30 p.m.; repeats Sunday 7 a.m. CNN. . . .

Democratic political consultant Peter Fenn and Republican political consultant Alex Castellanos visit “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2:30 p.m. (28). . . .

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is a guest on “Capital Gang,” 4 p.m., 10:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Inside Politics Weekend” reports on Campaign ’96 with Scott Reed, Bob Dole’s campaign manager, 4:30 p.m.; repeats 7:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

Playwright Neil Simon sits in on “Larry King Weekend,” 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., CNN. . . .

“The McLaughlin Group” discusses whether President Clinton merits the liberal label and looks at Congress, 6 p.m. (4). . . .

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

“Pacesetters” looks at urban concerns, including problems facing disabled citizens, 6 a.m. (5). . . .

“Sunday Today” looks at Sotheby’s auction bidders who use frequent-flier miles, visits a Brazilian dance festival and previews fall movies, 6 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

“Meet the Press” airs at 7 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

“CBS News Sunday Morning” features Ohioans viewing the presidential race, needlework designer Kaffe Fassett and the School for Strings, 7:30 a.m. (2); 8 a.m. (8). . . .

Former Vice President Dan Quayle fields questions on “Fox News Sunday,” 8 a.m. (11). . . .

“Face the Nation” arrives at 9 a.m. (2); 7:30 a.m. (8). . . .

“Late Edition” looks at the conflict in Israel with Dore Gold, a senior policy advisor to the Israeli prime minister, 9 a.m., CNN. . . .

“Bob Navarro’s Journal” talks with Harvard sociologist William Julius Wilson and Los Angeles Times Editorial Page Editor Janet Clayton, 9:30 a.m. (2). . . .

“Tony Brown’s Journal” reports on technical workers, 9:30 a.m. (28). . . .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses the conflict in the Middle East on “This Week With David Brinkley,” 10 a.m. (7). . . .

“Life & Times” continues its series examining the 15 statewide ballots propositions facing voters this November, 10:30 a.m. (28). . . .

Contras, crack and the CIA will be discussed on “Both Sides With Jesse Jackson,” 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“60 Minutes” talks with a researcher who studied the experimental drug given to Gulf War troops and says the Pentagon knew it was dangerous, 7 p.m. (2)(8).

Specials and Movies: HBO presents the “America Undercover” documentary, “Hookers at the Point,” tonight at 11. . . . A Martinez and Kim Zimmer host the seventh annual “Soap Opera Update Awards,” Sunday at 10 p.m. on Lifetime. . . . The Discovery Channel presents “Life on Mars” Sunday at 9 p.m.; it’s a new documentary examining the recent evidence gathered by NASA scientists on the red planet.

On the movie front, Scott Bakula and Chelsea Field star in “Bachelor’s Baby,” Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. . . . Jennie Garth and Rob Estes star in the romantic period drama “A Loss of Innocence,” Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. . . . Renowned Hong Kong director John Woo makes his television debut with Fox’s “Once a Thief,” Sunday at 8 p.m. on Channel 11.

Sports: Football--UCLA at Michigan, today, 12:30 p.m. (7); Oregon at Arizona State, today, 3:30 p.m. Prime. . . . Pro football--Minnesota at New York, 10 a.m. Sunday (11); Kansas City at San Diego, 1 p.m. Sunday (4). . . . Baseball--Angels at Texas, 10 a.m. today (11) and noon Sunday (9).

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