CBS Hits Broadway for 50th Tony Awards

One of the classiest awards shows celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday when CBS presents the 1996 Tony Awards at 9 p.m. on Channel 2.

The two-hour special, honoring the best of Broadway theater, is hosted by “The Birdcage’s” Nathan Lane, who also happens to be a nominee for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Each celebrity presenting an award this year will introduce a clip featuring past winners from that category. Among the major nominees are “Rent,” “Seven Guitars” and “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk.”

For sports fans, Fox begins its baseball coverage today at 1 p.m. on Channel 11 with a game between the Dodgers and the Mets.

Lifetime premieres a parenting series, “Kids These Days,” Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Dana Fleming hosts.

Public Affairs: TODAY: “Today” looks at bicycles and accessories; Nicholas Davies (“Diana: The Lonely Princess”); Hollywood memorabilia auction, 5 a.m. (4). . . .

Gay and lesbian activist Candace Gingrich and Rep. Steve Largent (R-Okla.) are guests on “John McLaughlin’s One on One,” 2:30 p.m. (28). . . .

The Whitewater verdicts are discussed on “The McLaughlin Group,” 4:30 p.m.(4). . . .

“Inside Politics Weekend” reports on the Clinton campaign and White House reaction to the Whitewater verdicts, 4:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Andy Griffith is profiled on “Larry King Weekend,” 6 and 11 p.m. CNN.

SUNDAY: “Sunday Today” looks at the Smithsonian Institution as it celebrates 150 years, and interviews authors Henry Lewis Gates and Cornel West (“The Future of the Race”), 6 a.m. (4)(36). . . .

House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) discusses the state of his Republican revolution on “Meet the Press,” 7 a.m. (4)(36). . . .

“Fox News Sunday” plays host to Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and David Pryor (D-Ark.) and Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, 8 a.m. (11). . . .

“Face the Nation” is scheduled at 9 a.m. (2). . . .

“Late Edition” questions whether the Middle East peace process will survive, 9 a.m. CNN. . . .

Journalist Ed Humes and Judge Roosevelt Dorn discuss L.A. County’s juvenile justice system on “Bob Navarro’s Journal,” 9:30 a.m. (2). . .

Former Likud minister Dan Meridor and Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.) appear on “This Week With David Brinkley,” 10 a.m. (7); 11 a.m. (42). . . .

“Life & Times” interviews Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, 10:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“60 Minutes” deals with partial birth abortions and interviews Mt. Everest disaster survivor Jon Krakauer, 7 p.m. (2).

Specials and Movies: A six-hour documentary, “America’s Music: The Roots of Country,” premieres Sunday at 4 p.m. on TBS. The series continues Sundays through June 16.

Sports: Tennis: French Open, 9 a.m. today and Sunday (4)(36); Baseball: Dodgers at Mets, Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (5); Orioles at Angels, Sunday at 1 p.m. Prime Sports. Basketball: Jazz at Sonics, Sunday, 4 p.m. (4)(36). Soccer: Galaxy at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m. (5).