New, Returning Shows Declare Open Season With Premieres

This weekend offers the premieres of several new and returning series, starting tonight with two Fox freshmen: the sitcom “Between Brothers” at 8:30 and the drama “413 Hope St.” at 9 on Channel 11.

HBO’s talk-variety series “The Chris Rock Show” returns for a new season Friday at 11:30 p.m. Following at midnight is the season premiere of the comedy series “Mr. Show With Bob and David,” starring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross.

James Brolin stars in the new syndicated series “Pensacola: Wings of Gold,” which takes flight Saturday at 7 p.m. on Channel 2. Brolin plays a war hero who must train a team of young fighter pilots.

And even as the new season is rolling in, the old one will be celebrated with “The 49th Annual Prime-Time Emmy Awards” at 8 p.m. Sunday on Channel 2. Bryant Gumble hosts CBS’ coverage from the Pasadena Civic, with David Duchovny, Ellen DeGeneres and Glenn Close aiding as presenters.

Other weekend fare:

Today

In the CBS retrospective “Mike Wallace Remembers,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2, the famed broadcast journalist discusses his personal and professional life.

The CBS newsmagazine “48 Hours,” at 10 p.m. on Channel 2, kicks off its 11th season with a report on the bank robbery capitol of the U.S.--Los Angeles.

“Straight Talk With Derek McGinty,” at 10 p.m. on Channel 28, features the radio talk-show host moderating a discussion on the challenges and opportunities that face female athletes 25 years after the passage of Title IX.

Friday

CNN will carry live coverage of Mother Teresa’s funeral from Calcutta, India, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ABC will also have coverage, but on tape delay beginning at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

The gay and lesbian newsmagazine “In the Life,” at 11 p.m. on Channel 28, celebrates its fifth anniversary with a retrospective clip special.

Saturday

The Learning Channel’s latest “Great Books Festival,” beginning at 6 a.m., features two new episodes--Thoreau’s “Walden” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”--plus film clips, interviews and Donald Sutherland’s narration. The festival continues Sunday.

CBS unveils its three new series for kids, “Wheel of Fortune 2000” at 8:30 a.m.; “Sports Illustrated for Kids Show” at 9 a.m.; and “The Weird Al Show” at 9:30 a.m. All three air on Channel 2.

“Mother Teresa: Mother of Mercy,” an hourlong tribute to the Nobel Peace Prize winner, will air at 4 p.m. on CNN.

For the first time in 40 years, NBC won’t be airing the “The 77th Annual Miss America Pageant.” This year, ABC will be telecasting the beauty pageant from Atlanta City at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. Husband-and-wife Eva LaRue Callahan and John Callahan of “All My Children” co-host the popular event.

Sunday

The Family Channel celebrates the 25th anniversary of “The Waltons,” beginning at 10 a.m., with eight of the wholesome Emmy Award-winning series’ best-loved episodes.

Joan and Melissa Rivers host “The 1997 Live Emmy Awards Pre-Show” at 3 p.m. on E! Entertainment Television.

Bravo’s “Baby, That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll,” at 5 and 9 p.m., is a two-hour tribute to the great songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The special features performances of their most famous songs and interviews with the singers who performed them.