‘Jesse’ Concludes First Season; AMC Unreels Some Easter Epics

This weekend marks the season finale of an NBC sitcom and the unveiling of two new shows.

NBC’s freshman comedy “Jesse” concludes its first season tonight at 8:30, with a cliffhanger involving Jesse’s and Diego’s future.

John Thaw returns as Inspector Morse in a two-part “Mystery!” thriller, “The Wench Is Dead,” tonight at 9 on KCET-TV.

The “Discovery Kids Weekend,” Saturday at 9 a.m. on the Discovery Channel, showcases two new series: “Sci Squad” and “Outward Bound.”

Comedian Brad Sherwood hosts the new ABC series “The Big Moment,” Saturday at 8 p.m. Viewers get the opportunity to win $25,000 in prizes if they perform on camera.

Brothers Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa host the new USA variety show “Happy Hour,” Saturday at 9 p.m. The offbeat series, which features celebrity guests and musical groups, is a lead-in for USA’s Saturday night movies.

“Visiting . . . With Huell Howser,” Sunday at 7 p.m. on KCET-TV, kicks off a weeklong trip to Palm Springs.

Movies

AMC celebrates the holiday with the Easter Epics Festival, beginning Sunday at 4 a.m. with “The Egyptian.”

A&E; premieres its first of four “Horatio Hornblower” seafaring adventures, Sunday at 6 and 10 p.m. Based on C.S. Forester’s novels, the historical drama focuses on a young English Naval midshipman during the Napoleonic Wars. Ioan Gruffudd stars. The movie series continues every Sunday throughout the month.

Judge Reinhold and Joely Fisher star in the Fox Family comedy “Coming Unglued,” Sunday at 8 p.m.

Della Reese, Ossie Davis and Crystal Bernard star in “The Secret Path,” Sunday at 9 p.m. on KCBS-TV. The drama focuses on a neglected white girl in the rural South who is given help by an unlikely couple.

Specials

Dolly Parton sings gospel songs with two of her siblings and guest Alison Krauss on the TNN special “Dolly Parton’s Precious Memories,” tonight at 8. Following at 9 p.m. is “Curb Records: The Celebration,” a tribute to music industry veteran Mike Curb.

Eric Stoltz hosts “Fine Cut: A Festival of Student Film,” tonight at 10 on KCET. The third annual showcase features films directed by students from UCLA, USC, CalArts, the American Film Institute and Cal State Los Angeles.

Nickelodeon presents the animated holiday treat “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown,” Friday at 8 p.m.

Panelists discuss the pros and cons of affirmative action on “Beyond Black and White,” Friday at 9 p.m. on KCET.

Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel and Alanis Morissette perform in the pay-per-view special “The Paris Concert for Amnesty International,” Saturday at 8 p.m. The concert was recorded last December.

Caroline Rhea and D.L. Hughley host the 15th annual “Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade,” Sunday at 11 a.m. on ABC.

“Body of Christ: In the Art of Europe,” Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on KCET, highlights sculptures, manuscripts and textiles from Houston’s Museum of Fine Art that feature images of Jesus.

Teen pop idols the Backstreet Boys headline the Showtime concert “Backstreet Boys: Coming Home!,” Sunday at 7 p.m.

Sports

The Davis Cup celebrates its 100th year with a single match between the U.S. and Great Britain, Friday at 10 a.m. on ESPN.