Tributes planned for Lansbury, Shatner

Tributes to Angela Lansbury, William Shatner, legendary producer Sherwood Schwartz, and the casts and creators of several shows such as “The Wire” and “Arrested Development” will highlight the 21st Annual William S. Paley Television Festival, sponsored by the Museum of Television & Radio.

The festival will run March 3 to 16 at the Directors Guild of America.

Opening the festival is a discussion featuring writer-producer J.J. Abrams and the stars of two series he created, Keri Russell of “Felicity” and Jennifer Garner of “Alias,” on creating memorable television characters.

“An Evening With Angela Lansbury,” on March 5, will pay tribute to the diverse stage, screen and television career of the “Murder, She Wrote” star, who is scheduled to attend.

Shatner is planning to look back on his 50-year career as “Star Trek” and “T.J. Hooker” star, author and Priceline.com pitchman during “An Evening with William Shatner” on March 10.

“A Salute to Sherwood Schwartz” on March 12 will reunite the producer with some of the stars and associates from his sitcoms such as “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch.”

Paley Festival events typically feature an episode from the spotlighted show, followed by a Q&A; discussion with the cast and creators.

Shows to be featured during the festival:

* “Trading Spaces” on March 4, with host Paige Davis and several other key producers and designers.

* “Joan of Arcadia” on March 6, with series creator Barbara Hall and stars Amber Tamblyn, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Ritter and Michael Welch.

* “The O.C.” on March 9 with series creator Josh Schwartz, other producers and cast members.

* “Arrested Development” on March 11, with series creator Mitchell Hurwitz and members of the cast.

* “The Wire” on March 13, with executive producers Robert Colebury and David Mills and the cast.

* “Smallville” on March 15, with producers and cast members.

* “Carnivale” on March 16, with creator Daniel Knauf, producers and cast.

All events begin at 7 p.m. Tickets will go on sale to museum members on Feb. 7, and then to the general public on Feb. 13.