The Arnolds Aim for Laughs from the Kids with ‘Rosey and Buddy’

Can you take any more of Roseanne and Tom Arnold? Are they a good influence for kids? ABC is betting “yes” on both with the animated special “The Rosey and Buddy Show,” a prime-time version of last season’s Saturday morning cartoon show “Little Rosey” that’s geared toward kids and adults.

In the story, Rosey and her friend Buddy try to pitch their idea for a new cartoon show to TV bigwigs, but end up tangling with nasty network Power Weasels (their words, not ours!). The Weasels send our heroes to the Betty and Veronica Clinic in an attempt to figure out why they prefer outrageousness over cuteness. The story was created by Tom Arnold himself, and whether it’s based on real life is for viewers to judge.

“The Rosey and Buddy Show,” Friday 8:30-9 p.m. ABC. For all ages.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

A sophisticated mouse is the hero in “Abel’s Island,” an animated version of “Robinson Crusoe,” on Long Ago & Far Away (Sunday 9-9:30 a.m. KCET). For 2- to 11-year-olds.

The epitome of a Valley Girl (Sunday 10 a.m.-noon KTLA) falls for a leather-clad dude from the wrong side of town in the 1982 comedy starring Nicolas Cage. For ages 12 and up.

“90210” star update: Check out Shannen Doherty in the 1985 comedy Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Sunday 3-5 p.m. KTLA). Then, Entertainment Tonight (Tuesday 7-7:30 p.m. KCBS) catches up with Jason Priestley, who hits the big screen in the movie “Calendar Girl.” For ages 12 and up.

Wait! There’s more! Catch the original pilot from Beverly Hills, 90210 (Sunday 8:30-10 p.m.). For ages 12 and up.

A Disneyworld 20th Anniversary Special (Sunday 9-10 p.m. KCAL) celebrates from Florida. For all ages.

The unlikely duo of Roger Daltrey and Ed Asner team up for the animated HBO Storybook Musical “Happy Birthday to You” (Monday 7-7:30 a.m. HBO), based on the traditional birthday salute. For 2- to 11-year-olds.

An episode of the locally produced show Life & Times (Wednesday 7:30-8 p.m. and midnight-12:30p.m. KCET) looks at the organizations Big Brothers and Big Sisters. For ages 16 and up.

A 3-2-1 Contact Extra: What Kids Want to Know About Sex and Growing Up (Wednesday 8-9 p.m. KCET and KPBS) is a frank discussion about puberty, reproduction and sexuality (see facing page). For 8- to 12-year-olds and their parents.

Sea World of San Antonio, the world’s largest marine park, helps introduce viewers to the history of Texas in Sea World’s All-Star, Lone Star Celebration (Friday 7-9 p.m. Family Channel, which features musical performances and a look at some Texas attractions. For ages 6 and up.

An episode of KTV (Saturday 6-6:30 a.m. KCBS) takes a light-hearted look at gender roles in “Boys vs. Girls.” For 6- to 12-year-olds.

Nick News: W5 (Saturday 5-5:30 p.m. Nickelodeon), the news series for kids produced by Linda Ellerbee, airs its third episode. For 6- to 12-year-olds.