Preakness Stakes, End of ‘Mystery Science Theater’ and Dole’s Campaign on Tap

CBS’ “Murder, She Wrote” isn’t the only long-running series coming to an end this weekend. Comedy Central’s cult favorite “Mystery Science Theater 3000” brings its seven seasons to a close today at 5.

As the Satellite of Love nears the end of the galaxy, Mike Nelson and his wisecracking robots, Tom Servo and Crow, watch their last cheesy movie, a 1978 dud called “Laserblast.” Repeats of the Peabody Award-winning series continue on Comedy Central.

For those “MST3K” fans who wonder whatever happened to creator and original star Joel Hodgson, he’s alive and well and back on Comedy Central with a new sketch comedy series, “The TV Wheel,” premiering tonight at 7.

On the sports front, Jim McKay, Al Michaels, Dave Johnson and Lesley Visser host ABC’s live coverage of the 121st running of the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course, today at 1:30; post time is 2:30 p.m.

Rock legend Kiss performs at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on “Fox’s Rocking Sunday,” Sunday at 7 p.m. on Fox.

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole’s resignation from the U.S. Senate is discussed on several public affairs series.

Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” gives stock-investment advice; Noah Wyle (“ER”); author Marica Weider (“Life Is but a Dream”); buying a car, 6 a.m. (4)(36)(39). . . .

Dole’s resignation, abortion and the GOP are subjects on “Evans & Novak,” 2:30 p.m., repeats Sunday 7 a.m. CNN. . . .

Ed Rollins, GOP political strategist, and Stephen Hess, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2:30 p.m. (28). . . .

“Capital Gang,” 4 p.m., 10:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Inside Politics Weekend” reports on the presidential campaign with guests Ann Lewis, deputy campaign manager, Clinton and Gore campaign, and Vin Weber, national co-chairman, Dole campaign, 4:30 p.m.; repeats 7:30 a.m. CNN. . . .

“Larry King Weekend” profiles Angela Lansbury, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. CNN.

SUNDAY: Guests are Todd Purdum, White House correspondent, New York Times, and Gerald McEntee, vice president, AFL-CIO, on “Sunday Journal,” 5 a.m. C-SPAN. . . .

“Sunday Today” talks with Sharon Lawrence, L.A. Quartet, preview of summer movies, 6 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

Guest are Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) on “Meet the Press,” 7 a.m. (4)(39)(36). . . .

“Sunday Morning” features the African nation of Eritrea; Zubin Mehta; excerpts from “Cronkite Remembers,” 7:30 a.m. (2); 8 a.m. (8). . . .

“Fox News Sunday,” guests include Rep. Richard K. Armey (R-Texas), Vin Weber, national co-chairman of the Dole campaign, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 8 a.m. (11). . . .

“Bob Navarro’s Journal,” guests are Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) and Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Boyarsky, 9:30 a.m. (2). . . .

The new Dole campaign discussed by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.); Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.); Gov. Steve Merrill (R-N.H.); William Bennett, Empower America; and Ronald Brownstein, Los Angeles Times, on “Face the Nation,” 9 a.m. (2); 9:30 a.m. (8). . . .

Dole’s resignation, ValuJet & the FAA, the election in Russia and the stakes for the U.S. are topics on “McLaughlin Group,” 9 a.m. (4). . . .

“Late Edition” looks at Dole’s resignation, race for Senate majority leader, priorities in the Senate, 9 a.m. CNN. . . .

“Tony Brown’s Journal” reports on the explorer of a new world, Allen Counter studies enclaves of African descendants, 9:30 a.m. (28). . . .

Haley Barbour, GOP national chairman, Gov. John Engler (R-Mich.) and Gov. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) discuss Dole’s resignation and what it means to his campaign on “This Week With David Brinkley,” 10 a.m. (7); 10:30 a.m. (10); 11:30 a.m. (3)(42). . . .

“Life & Times” reports on Pacific Bell’s plans to initiate the “caller ID” service to customers beginning June 1, 10:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“Midday Sunday” examines the growing controversy over the selection of the next superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District with guests Mike Roos and Alan Clayton, 11 a.m. (11). . . .

“Washington, D.C.: A City Under Repair” is the topic on “Both Sides With Jesse Jackson,” 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Reliable Sources” reports on media coverage of the Dole resignation, 3:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“60 Minutes” talks with William Pierce, white supremacist author of the controversial novel “The Turner Diaries,” which detailed a bombing almost exactly like the one in Oklahoma City, 7 p.m. (2)(8).

Specials and Movies: Lance Burton, Omar Pasha and Mark Kalin work their magic on NBC’s “The Hidden Secrets of Magic,” tonight at 8 on Channel 4.

The Disney Channel presents two new family specials. The animated “Rotten Ralph,” airing tonight at 8:30, is based on the popular children’s books about the adventures of a rotten cat. “Vanessa-Mae at the Albert Hall,” Sunday at 9 p.m., is an up-close look at the 17-year-old electronic violin virtuoso.

Sports: Basketball--Jazz at Seattle Sonics, today, 12:30 p.m. (4)(36)(39); Orlando Magic at Bulls, Sunday, 12:30 p.m. (4)(36)(39).

For a complete list of sports events on TV, see the Sports Section.