‘Roots,’ Family Films, Classic Cartoons Will Appeal to Kids

Children won’t be bored with TV this weekend thanks to several family films, a classic cartoon marathon and a repeat of a landmark miniseries.

Soccer, the Jack Russell terrier, stars in his first movie, “Wishbone’s Dog Days of the West,” Friday at 6 p.m. on Showtime. The peppy literary hound, who stars in the Emmy-winning PBS series “Wishbone,” finds himself in a western adventure inspired by O. Henry.

The Cartoon Network presents “The 50 Greatest Cartoons of All Time” marathon, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 9 a.m. on Sunday. Titles include the Looney Tune faves “What’s Opera, Doc?” and “Duck Amuck.”

The Disney Channel premieres the 1996 animated musical blockbuster “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Saturday at 7 p.m. Based on Victor Hugo’s beloved novel, the film features the voices of Tom Hulce, Kevin Kline, Demi Moore and Jason Alexander.

The Family Channel repeats the classic 1977 ABC miniseries, “Roots,” Sunday at 7 p.m. Alex Haley’s family saga continues March 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 7 p.m.

Today

CBS kicks off its live coverage of the first-round games of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at 9 a.m. on Channel 2. Other games today are scheduled for 11:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. PBS’ “Great Performances,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 28, premieres “Frank Sinatra: The Very Good Years.” The special features vintage clips from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ award-winning TV specials of the 1960s and ‘70s. Former O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden stars in ABC’s “Crimes of Passion: One Hot Summer Night,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. Darden plays an L.A. homicide detective investigating the murder of a sports tycoon (Barry Bostwick).

Friday

CBS continues its coverage of the NCAA Tournament with games scheduled for 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Channel 2.

KCET presents “The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom With Suze Orman” at 9 p.m. on Channel 28. Orman will outline a process designed to help people use their full financial potential.

Comedian Paul Rodriguez headlines “The ‘Round Midnight Special” at 11:30 p.m. on HBO.

Saturday

CBS presents second-round action in the NCAA Tournament at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Channel 2.

Mike Nelson and his robot pals Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot return for their ninth season of watching trashy movies on the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Mystery Science Theater 3000” at 2 and 8 p.m.

A&E;’s “Investigative Reports,” at 6 and 10 p.m, presents “The Angel of Bergen-Belsen,” a chronicle of the Auschwitz survivor who rescued imprisoned children from a concentration camp.

Sunday

CBS airs NCAA Tournament games at 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Channel 2.

“Bravo Profiles” explores the life of the “Lord of the Dance” himself, Michael Flatley, at 5 p.m.

The History Channel’s “Celebrating the Green,” at 6 and 10 p.m., looks at St. Patrick’s Day festivals in Ireland and New York.

“A Short History of Ireland,” at 7 and 11 p.m. on the History Channel, offers reenactments of historical events and such figures as Michael Collins.

Patrick Stewart is the obsessed peg-legged Captain Ahab in “Moby Dick,” at 8 p.m. on USA. The four-hour adaptation of Herman Melville’s 19th century novel also stars Henry Thomas and Gregory Peck. The conclusion will be broadcast Monday at 8 p.m.

E! Entertainment Television presents the two-hour documentary “Andy Warhol: The E! True Hollywood Story” at 8 p.m.

Andrew McCarthy stars in CBS’ “A Father for Brittany” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. Based on a true story, the drama chronicles a widower’s attempts to regain custody of the daughter he and his late wife adopted.

Even though most critics and audiences agreed that the 1995 extravaganza “Waterworld” was long enough, ABC has added 40 minutes to the Kevin Costner action flick for its network premiere at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. The conclusion airs Thursday at 9 p.m.

Garry Shandling returns for his sixth and final season as the neurotic late-night host on HBO’s award-winning comedy series, “The Larry Sanders Show,” at 10 p.m. Jeffrey Tambor and Rip Torn also star. The opener finds Larry having difficulty containing his jealousy over guest host Jon Stewart.

Harland Williams discovers life is quite literally a drag when he’s forced to masquerade as a woman in “Mr. Headmistress,” a “Wonderful World of Disney” comedy at 7 p.m. on Channel 7.