Kids helping animals; ‘Sesame Street’ counts off on its 29th season; ‘Saved by’ construction

A 12-year-old girl contacts the teenagers on The Adventures of A.R.K. (Animal Rescue Kids) when a bear who makes nightly visits to her hot tub is scheduled to be destroyed (Discovery Channel, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.). In each episode of this new series, a team of concerned teens sets out on a mission to help animals in need of assistance. For ages 6 to 12.

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Sesame Street launches its 29th season with a special emphasis on science-based curriculum (KCET, weekdays at 10 a.m.). As part of the new programming, Slimey, Oscar the Grouch’s pet worm, and four other worms take a journey to the moon. “Slimey in Space” will teach children about science and space with various sketches, live-action films, animation and celebrity guests. For ages 2 to 5.

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Thanksgiving is the common demoninator among “Brand Spanking New Doug,” “Recess,” and “Pepper Ann,” on Disney’s One Saturday Morning (ABC, Saturday 7-9 a.m.). Doug is thrilled when his secret love, Patti Mayonnaise, is invited to his home for the holiday. “Recess” finds the gang deciding not to participate in the can collection drive because the kids don’t want to face the humiliation of losing again. Then Pepper Ann hopes her dad will pay her a visit on Thanksgiving. For ages 8 to 12.

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Loonette is outraged when a “no girls allowed” sign is placed on the Snicklefritz’s clubhouse on The Big Comfy Couch (KCET, Saturday at 7:30 a.m.). For ages 2 to 5.

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In two special episodes, the young people from Bayside High volunteer to help Habitat for Humanity build a house for a local family on Saved by the Bell: The New Class (NBC, Saturday at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.). In the first half-hour of “Putting Up Walls,” Maria (Samantha Becker) becomes interested in one of the Habitat volunteers. In the second half, Ryan (Richard Lee Jackson), Eric (Anthony Harrell) and Nicky (Ben Gould) try to rush through the wallpapering so they can attend a football game. For ages 13 to 16.