May 06, 1995|By Steve McKerrow | Steve McKerrow,Sun Staff Writer
Two vastly different, but equally venerable, racing traditions are the highlights of today's sports television -- the 121-year-old Kentucky Derby and the 144-year-old America's Cup Series. At night, fathers and mothers are on display.
* "Talkin' It Out With John Walsh" (11:30 a.m.-noon, WBFF, Channel 45) -- The host of "America's Most Wanted" presents a public service special for kids, exploring the Oklahoma City terrorist bombing from their point of view. The show includes an introduction by the cast of the hit "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Fox.
* "Kentucky Derby" (4:30 p.m.-6 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- The 121st running of the Kentucky Derby is covered live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, with commentator -- and Maryland horse owner -- Jim McKay anchoring. The network boasts it will again be using its "cablecam," a remote-controlled camera that tracks the action on the backstretch. ABC.
* "An Affectionate Look at Fatherhood" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- With Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") as host, this special offers humorous sketches about pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood through the eyes of first-time fathers. Performers include Faith Ford ("Murphy Brown"), John Mahoney
("Frasier"), Karyn Parsons ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"), Alison La Placa ("The John Larroquette Show"), Sharon Lawrence ("NYPD Blue"), Ada Maris ("Nurses") and comedian Paul Rodriguez. NBC.
* "Freaky Friday" (8 p.m.-10 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Motherhood is the topic, as Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffman take on the roles played by Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster in this remake of the hit 1977 Disney film. A mother and daughter see things from each other's point of view as they switch bodies for a day. ABC.
Cable
* "The America's Cup" (4 p.m.-7 p.m., ESPN) -- The gleaming trophy is named for the cheeky Yankee yacht that beat the snooty British in 1851. In the first race of the latest challenge, Dennis Conner on Young America defends against a strong New Zealand challenge by Black Magic, live from San Diego.
* "Audrey Hepburn Film Festival" (7:05 p.m.-4:35 a.m., American Movie Classics) -- In honor of the late actress' 66th birthday today, AMC offers four of her best films: "Funny Face," "How To Steal a Million," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "War and Peace." (The first two get earlier screenings at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; "Breakfast" is repeated at 4:35 a.m.) Hepburn died in 1993, and the festival promotes a telephone pledge drive to benefit the Audrey Hepburn Hollywood for Children Fund.
