WEEKEND TV : ‘Killer Tides’: In Wake of the Gulf War

As the nation recovers after this week’s commemorations of those who fought in the war against Iraq, television reminds us of some of the pressing problems that linger both in the Persian Gulf and here at home.

On Sunday at 6 p.m., TBS will air “Killer Tides,” part of National Geographic’s “Explorer” series, which features startling footage of the Persian Gulf oil spill. The producer of this program was among the first to record the slicks that formed when 250 million gallons of oil were spilled into the Gulf during the war, and here chronicles the effect it has had on the region’s marine and bird life.

“C. Everett Koop, M.D.” follows at 7 p.m. on Channels 4, 36 and 39 and features the former U.S. surgeon general examining the reasons behind the increase in pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and crime among teen-agers.

Earlier, at 4 p.m. on Channel 2, “Newsmakers” follows Helen Bernstein, president of United Teachers Los Angeles, as she lobbies in Sacramento for badly needed education funds in the midst of the legislative scramble to meet difficult budget deadlines and financial constraints.

And “On Scene: Emergency Response” provides a first-hand look at gang violence in the Southland Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on Channel 7 as the show’s video cameras ride with members of the L.A. Sheriff’s Gang Task Force. This episode features a rash of murder, drugs and other sorts of mayhem on the streets of L.A.

Other weekend shows include: