Weary of Watching Sports? Movies Grace Small Screen

Several high-profile television movies premiere this weekend, including a satire on the legal system with James Garner and a heartbreaking war drama from HBO.

Garner and director Glenn Jordan , who worked together on the Emmy Award-winning “Promise” and “Barbarians at the Gate,” team up again for “Legalese” at 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday on TNT. Garner plays a high-powered attorney who hires a young lawyer (Edward Kerr) to be his mouthpiece in a juicy murder case involving an actress (Gina Gershon). Kathleen Turner also stars.

Vincent Perez and Linus Roache star in HBO’s “Shot Through the Heart” at 8 p.m. Sunday. This true story tells how war tragically affected the relationship of two best friends who were divided by the Bosnian conflict.

In other movie fare, ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney” presents the comedy “Sabrina Goes to Rome” at 7 p.m. Sunday on Channel 7. Sabrina the teenage witch (Melissa Joan Hart) finds magic and romance in the Eternal City.

Scott Glenn and Courtney B. Vance star in Showtime’s “Naked City: Justice With a Bullet,” the first of two movies based on the classic movie and TV series, at 8 p.m. Sunday. The thriller deals with a team of New York police officers in the Anti-Crime Unit.

Kellie Martin, Mary Steenburgen and Diane Baker headline CBS’ “About Sarah” at 9 p.m. Sunday on Channel 2. Martin plays a college senior who is the legal guardian for her mentally disabled mom (Steenburgen).

Series

The CBS drama “Promised Land” kicks off its third season at 8 tonight on Channel 2 with the conclusion of a story from “Touched by an Angel.”

PBS’ “Mystery!” begins a new season at 9 tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28 with “Touching Evil,” a five-part thriller written by Paul Abbott of “Cracker” fame. British heartthrob Robson Green (“Reckless”) plays an unorthodox member of London’s serial crime unit.

Chris Carter’s low-rated Fox series, “Millennium,” kicks off its third season at 9 p.m. Friday on Channel 11. Klea Scott from “Brooklyn South” joins the series as the new partner of Frank Black (Lance Henriksen).

John Merrow examines why Latinos have the highest drop-out rate of any ethnic group on “The Merrow Report: Lost in Translation: Latinos, Schools and Society” at 9 p.m. Friday on Channel 28.

Robert Townsend is the host of the new syndicated musical late-night series, “Motown Live,” which premieres at midnight Friday on Channel 13. Wyclef Jean, the Temptations and Earth, Wind & Fire guest.

“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” muscles its way into a fifth season, at 8 p.m. Saturday on Channel 5. Kevin Sorbo CQ stars.

“Xena: Warrior Princess,” the most popular syndicated drama, begins its fourth season at 9 p.m. Saturday on Channel 5. Lucy Lawless stars.

The syndicated “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” takes off for its seventh and final season at 9 p.m. Saturday on Channel 13. In the opener, Sisko must came to grips with the death of Dax.

David Byrne of Talking Heads fame is the new host and interviewer of “Sessions at West 54th” at 12:40 a.m. Sunday on Channel 28. Lucinda Williams and the Mavericks perform.

Food anthropologist Dorinda Hafner tours the United States to explore the cuisine and celebrations of several American cultures in her four-part series “The United Tastes of America With Dorinda Jafner” from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday on Channel 28.

Lorenzo Lamas stars in the new syndicated adventure series “Air America” at 7 p.m. Sunday on Channel 9. He plays an undercover CIA super agent who runs a commercial enterprise in Central America.

Specials

Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young will perform on the latest “Farm Aid” concert at 3 p.m. Saturday on Country Music Television.

“Bob Fosse: A Celebration in Song and Dance,” at 8 p.m. Saturday on Channel 28, features interviews with the stars of the new musical, opening this month at the Ahmanson, which celebrates the dance style of the late choreographer and director. Following at 8:30 p.m. is Fosse’s 1969 film, “Sweet Charity.”

The History Channel’s “Inside the Cold War With Sir David Frost,” at 9 p.m. Saturday, chronicles the 40-year history of the Cold War through the words and points of view of the leaders who made the decisions.

Kids

CBS unveils its new Saturday morning lineup at 7 a.m. on Channel 2 with five new animated series: “Franklin,” “Anatole,” “Dumb Bunnies,” “Flying Rhino Junior High” and “Birdz.”

“Zap It!” at 6:30 a.m. Sunday is the Discovery Channel’s new game show for kids.

The Disney Channel premieres its new computer-generated animated series, “Rolie Polie Olie,” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. The series was created by children’s book author and illustrator William Joyce.