‘Providence,’ ‘Cold War’ Head Lineup of New, Returning Series

This weekend, the networks are premiering several series and bringing back several favorites for a new season.

NBC kicks off the New Year with the drama “Providence,” Friday at 8 p.m. Created by John Masius (“St. Elsewhere”), the series revolves around a plastic surgeon living in Los Angeles who returns to her hometown of Providence, R.I., to attend her pregnant younger sister’s wedding.

CNN’s “Cold War: Volume II” continues, Sunday at 5 p.m., with episode 13, which chronicles the murders of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy and the escalation of the Vietnam War.

WB premieres “Batman Beyond,” Sunday at 7 p.m., a futuristic new chapter in DC Comics’ legend of Batman. The series moves to its regular time slot, Saturdays at 9:30 p.m., on Jan. 16.

Fox offers a preview of “The PJs,” its new animated series from executive producer Eddie Murphy, Sunday at 8:30 p.m. The series officially premieres Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco headline “The Sopranos,” HBO’s series about the New Jersey Mafia, Sunday at 9 p.m. The comedy-drama, created by David Chase, also features Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band fame.

ABC’s low-rated comedy-drama “Cupid” moves from Saturdays to tonight at 9.

PBS’ “Mystery!,” tonight at 9 on KCET, presents the fourth and final season of “Cadfael.” Sir Derek Jacobi returns as the sleuthing medieval monk.

“The Magnificent Seven,” CBS’ series based on the 1960 classic western, returns to the lineup, Friday at 9 p.m.

The Emmy Award-winning series “Dennis Miller Live,” Friday at 11:30 p.m. on HBO, returns for a new season.

CBS unveils “Rupert,” Saturday at 7 a.m., an animated series based on the comic strip about Rupert Bear.

Nickelodeon presents an “Animorphs” marathon, Saturday from 1-6 p.m. On Sunday, Nick offers a special two-part episode, “The Capture,” at 8 p.m.

Sharon Stone talks about her basic instinct of acting on Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio,” Sunday at 5 and 9 p.m.

Huell Howser visits the Cargil Salt Co., located at the edge of San Francisco Bay, on “California’s Gold,” Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on KCET.

Specials

Bravo presents the Australian dance troupe “Steel City,” tonight at 6 and 10.

On the latest installment of her ABC special, “Behind Closed Doors With Joan Lunden,” tonight at 10, the intrepid journalist performs with the Cirque du Soleil and hitches a ride on a U-2 reconnaissance plane.

On the 12th annual “Louis Rukeyser’s 1999 Money Guide,” Friday at 9 p.m. on KCET, Rukeyser interviews various experts who look at 1999 both politically, economically and socially.

“Buffett & Gates on Success,” Friday at 10 p.m. on KCET, features financial heavyweights Warren Buffett and Bill Gates chatting about their success in this special taped at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus.

Debbie Allen, Boys II Men and Stevie Wonder are among the artists performing on “An Evening of Stars,” the annual fund-raiser for the United Negro College Fund, Saturday at 7 p.m. on KCAL.

Ray Romano hosts CBS’ “The 25th Annual People’s Choice Awards,” Sunday at 9 p.m. The special honors America’s favorites in the fields of TV, motion pictures and music. Faith Ford, Carol Burnett, Christina Applegate and Kenny Rogers are among the presenters.

Movies

Jane Seymour and real-life husband James Keach star in “The Wonderful World of Disney” adventure “The New Swiss Family Robinson,” Sunday at 7 p.m. on ABC.

Shane Meier and Michael Biehn try to save an injured wolf on the Fox Family Channel drama “Silverwolf,” Sunday at 8 p.m.