Funny Times: Monty Python, ‘Mystery Science Theater’

For comedy buffs, HBO reunites the outrageous Monty Python troupe, “Mystery Science Theater” goes to the Oscars and Fox previews its new sitcom starring Damon Wayans.

Mike Nelson, Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo don their penguin suits to offer their zany opinions of this year’s Oscar contenders on “Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Academy of Robots’ Choice Awards Special,” today at 4:30 p.m. on the Sci-Fi Channel.

HBO presents the “U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Tribute to Monty Python,” Saturday at 11 p.m. The comic genius of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and the late Graham Chapman, is celebrated in this special taped in Aspen, Colo., and hosted by Robert Klein.

Damon Wayans headlines the new Fox comedy “Damon,” Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 11. He plays a cocky Chicago undercover cop who shares his apartment with his hapless, newly estranged older brother (David Alan Grier).

Today

NCAA Tournament action is scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Channel 2.

Radio commentator Caroline Myss hosts “Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can,” at 8 p.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28.

Friday

MTV’s “Mariah’s Spring Break Countdown,” at 3:30 p.m., features pop superstar Mariah Carey enjoying MTV’s annual spring break. The “Springer Break” at 5 and 10 p.m. features talk-show host Jerry Springer; and “Spring Break Luau,” at 9 p.m., pairs Carey with Bill Bellamy.

CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament continues at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Channel 2.

Oscar fever visits TBS in the form of “Dinner & a Monkey” at 5:05 p.m. Paul Gilmartin and Annabella Gurwitch host the special, which features eight parodies of Oscar-nominated films.

Alfre Woodard reprises her “St. Elsewhere” role of Dr. Roxanne Turner on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” at 10 p.m. on Channel 4.

Saturday

CBS presents the NCAA Division II Tournament at 9:30 a.m.; the East Regional final at 12:30 p.m. and the West Regional final at 3 p.m.

The Independent Film Channel presents complete, live coverage of the 13th annual Independent Spirit Awards at 1:30 p.m. (with an encore at 7 p.m.). John Turturro hosts the festivities, which honor the best independent features of 1997.

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert select who they think should take home an Oscar on the 16th annual “Siskel & Ebert: If We Picked the Winners,” at 7 p.m. on Channel 7.

Laurence Fishburne headlines HBO’s “Always Outnumbered,” at 9 p.m. Adapted by Walter Mosley from a collection of his short stories, the fable deals with an L.A. ex-con who wants to make a new start.

“Broken Record,” at 9 p.m. on Nickelodeon, is the latest installment of “Sports Theater With Shaquille O’Neal.” The special looks at the pressure a talented young swimmer endures from her coach/mother.

Sunday

CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament continues at 11:30 a.m. on Channel 2.

TBS’ “National Geographic Explorers” offers an explosive look at “Volcano!,” at 4 p.m.

The A&E; documentary “Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream,” at 6 and 10 p.m., chronicles the rise and demise of movie moguls Adolph Zukor, Carl Laemmle, Louis B. Mayer, William Fox, Harry Cohn and the Warner brothers. It is based on Neal Gabler’s award-winning “An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood.”

The Learning Channel’s “The Spanish-American War,” at 6 and 9 p.m., commemorates the 100th anniversary of the war in which America became an international power.

Treat Williams stars in the Showtime thriller “Escape: Human Cargo,” at 8 p.m. Based on an autobiography by John McDonald, the film deals with how the Houston contractor landed in a Saudi Arabian prison in 1978.

Sarah Chalke is a new girl in town suspected of witchcraft in NBC’s thriller “I’ve Been Waiting for You,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 4. Markie Post and Soleil Moon Frye also star.

Susan Lucci plays a femme fatale in ABC’s mystery “Blood on Her Hands,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. Philip Casnoff and John O’Hurley are the unfortunate men in her life.

“Live Academy Awards Countdown,” at 10 p.m. on E! Entertainment Television, visits with the fans who are camped out at the Shrine hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars.