TODAY’S NEWS, TOMORROW’S TELEVISION : TBS takes to airports to test new venture; Joan Rivers, host again

Donna Mills and Jack Scalia recently completed the movie “Runaway Father” for future broadcast on CBS. The drama was adapted from the novel by Richard Rashke, based on the true story of a woman and her three daughters and their 17-year search for the man who deserted them.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc. recently unveiled plans for The Airport Channel, a national television news service that will deliver live programing to airline terminals across the country. The Airport Channel will be tested June 3-July 14 in airports in Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas. The channel will consist of news, consumer and travel features produced and anchored by CNN/Headline News.

The Family Channel explores the differences in attitudes between men and women in the special “Scott Ross: The Battle of the Sexes,” airing June 29 at 10 p.m. The show will examine the prevailing attitudes between the sexes in the work place, at home and on issues such as sex and romance.

Production is under way on 13 new episodes of the Discovery Channel series “Invention.” Among the topics the series will explore in the fall are computerized roller coasters, the business of high-tech fitness equipment and the history of Kodachrome film. Produced in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and Beyond International Group, “Invention” is one of the top five highest-rated series in Discovery’s history.

Joan Rivers hosts the “Showtime Comedy Club All-Stars V” special June 1 on Showtime. Michelle Beaudry, Tommy Blaze, Fred Greenlee, Kenny Rogerson and Ron Shock are the young comics who will perform in the concert taped at Caesars in Atlantic City.

Paul Raucsh, producer of ABC’s daytime drama “One Life to Live,” is leaving the show after a seven-year stint. Official word is that ABC wanted the show to go in a different direction.

Sue Ane Langdon (of the movies “The Rounders” and “The Cheyenne Social Club”) has joined the cast of ABC’s “General Hospital” as the best friend of Angela Eckert (Carol Lawrence) who tries to set up Angela’s son (Tony Geary) with her daughter (Robin Curtis).