2 pm: Entertainment

Vince Waldron, author of “Classic Sitcoms: A Celebration of the Best in Prime-Time Comedy,” and Dan Staley, executive producer of “Cheers,” will show clips from and talk about 10 of America’s favorite sitcoms as part of the monthly Literary Hollywood lecture series at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. “All in the Family,” “I Love Lucy,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Taxi” and “Cheers” will be among the sitcoms discussed. Clips from these series will also be shown.

* Literary Hollywood, Hollywood Entertainment Museum, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 2-3:30 p.m. Museum admission: $7.50; seniors and students, $4.50; children 5-12, $4; under 5, free. (323) 960-4809.

all day: Carnivals

Los Angeles County will be brimming with Purim carnivals celebrating the joyful Jewish holiday. Among them: The North Valley Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills will offer such attractions as pony rides, rock climbing and arts-and-crafts boutiques. A costume parade, a magic show, games and food booths will help highlight the day at Temple Isaiah. Similar celebrations will also take place at the University Synagogue in Brentwood and at Temple Menorah in Redondo Beach. There’s no admission charge for any of the carnivals.

* Purim carnival, North Valley Jewish Community Center, 16601 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (818) 360-2211. Purim carnival, University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (310) 472-1255. Purim carnival, Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (310) 277-2772. Purim carnival, Temple Menorah, 1101 Camino Real, Redondo Beach, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (310) 316-8444.

all day: Convention

Eric Idle, one of the stars of England’s famed “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” comedy troupe, will be signing copies of his new science-fiction comedy novel, “The Road to Mars,” at the Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. The convention’s dealer room will offer a selection of comic books, movie memorabilia, toys, “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” items, Japanese-animation-related merchandise and sports cards. An advance screening of the DreamWorks animated movie “The Road to El Dorado” will take place at 5 p.m.

* Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5. (818) 954-8432.

2 pm: Music

With a program of works by Shostakovich, Fritz Kreisler, Mendelssohn and Haydn, the admired Angeles String Quartet arrives in Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine University, Malibu. The ensemble of violinists Kathleen Lenski, Sara Parkins, violist Brian Dembow and cellist Stephen Erdody was founded in 1988 and by now has performed in all sections of the United States and in England and Canada.

* Angeles String Quartet, Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, 2 p.m. $25. (310) 456-4522.

5 pm: Movies

The Art Directors Guild Film Society is presenting a free screening of director Herbert Ross’ 1975 comedy “The Sunshine Boys,” about the television reunion of two squabbling old vaudevillians (Walter Matthau and George Burns). Production designer Albert Brenner will be on hand for a post-screening discussion with the audience. Brenner and Marvin March were nominated for an Academy Award for best art direction and set decoration for their work on the film, as was screenwriter Neil Simon and lead actor Matthau. Burns won the Oscar for best supporting actor.

* “The Sunshine Boys” (1975), Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 5 p.m. Free, but reservations are required. (818) 762-9995.

5 pm: Cabaret

In an association that’s lasted over a half century, Oscar-winning songwriters Jay Livingston and Ray Evans have penned memorable music ranging from the classic Nat King Cole hit “Mona Lisa” to the galloping theme song from television’s “Bonanza.” Marie Cain has written tunes for both Cher and the splashy musical “Naked Boys Singing,” has collaborated with Shel Silverstein and has even been heard playing piano accompaniment for Billy Crystal. The three songwriters appear in this double bill in the Parlor Performances’ Y2Kabaret series.

* Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, Marie Cain, Beverly Hills Public Library Auditorium, 444 N. Rexford Drive, 5 p.m. $20. (310) 471-3979.

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FREEBIES: The Annual Wistaria Festival and Village Celebration in Sierra Madre Village includes an art fair and viewing of the 250-ton Wistaria vine, covered in countless lavender blossoms. The vine viewing is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and reservations are required. The fair continues to 5 p.m. along Sierra Madre Boulevard. Take Foothill Freeway to Baldwin Avenue exit, go north one mile. (626) 306-1150.

Kids can create an “ancient” adobe home out of clay during a workshop with artist Georgeanne Kalweit at the Junior Arts Center, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 2-4 p.m. (213) 485-4474.