A Smorgasbord of Telecasts for Inaugural ’93

Begin with television-savvy organizers and gleeful entertainment figures ecstatic about lending their talents to the ceremonies surrounding the first inauguration of a Democrat as President since 1977.

Combine with cable television’s need for programming, the increasing number of prime-time news programs and the technological advances that allow local stations to report from the scene of national stories.

That is the recipe for television’s most covered Presidential inaugural, with five broadcast networks, six cable channels and KCAL-TV Channel 9 providing programming during the next two days tied to Wednesday’s inauguration of Bill Clinton.

While all three network morning shows will report on inaugural plans today, the Disney Channel provides the day’s first special coverage, unscrambling its feed for two youth-oriented events.

“The Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Children,” geared for ages 3 to 7, airs at 3 and 6 p.m. Performers include Fred Rogers, the Muppets, children’s singer Raffi, recording artists Roseanne Cash and Emmylou Harris, the Parachute Express singing group and storyteller Diane Ferlatte.

“The Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Youth,” geared toward ages 10 to 16, airs at 5 and 7 p.m. Wil Smith, star of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” is the host. Featured performers include recording artists Boyz II Men, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, saxophonist Clarence Clemmons; the Joffrey Ballet performing a new piece choreographed to a Prince song and students from the L.A. Youth Ensemble Theatre of the Van Nuys High School of Performing Arts performing a brief play based on their reactions to last spring’s civil unrest.

The inauguration is also responsible for the creation of one of the most star-studded concerts in pop music history, “An American Reunion: The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala” (9 p.m., Channels 2 and 8). Michael Jackson will be making his first major network television appearance since the 1988 Grammy Awards; the original members of Fleetwood Mac will perform together for the first time since September, 1980, to sing “Don’t Stop” and Barbra Streisand will give a rare public appearance, singing “God Bless America” and what is described as, “an extended set of songs.”

Coverage of Inauguration Day begins hours before Al Gore is expected to be sworn in as vice president at 8:45 a.m. (PST) and Clinton’s scheduled 9 a.m. (PST) oath-taking.

C-SPAN will be first, with live coverage of Clinton attending services at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Baptist Church at 5 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., C-SPAN will show Clinton’s walk from the Blair House to the White House for a meeting with President Bush. C-SPAN will also show the oaths of office, inaugural addresses and parade, and, at 5 p.m., a replay of Clinton’s speech.

CBS (Channels 2 and 8) starts its coverage on “CBS This Morning” at 6 a.m. with Dan Rather taking over at 7 a.m.

NBC (Channels 4, 36 and 39) plans six hours of continuous coverage from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., anchored by Tom Brokaw and Bryant Gumbel, following Clinton throughout the day.

ABC (Channels 7, 3, 10 and 42) also begins at 7 a.m. with anchors Peter Jennings and David Brinkley.

Cable News Network begins continuous coverage at 7 a.m. with anchor Bernard Shaw joined by Bill Moyers and presidential historian Michael Beschloss. CNN will also have live coverage of the toasts and exchange of gifts at the Congressional Leaders luncheon for Clinton and Gore.

KCAL Channel 9 will also air coverage of the swearing-in and inaugural addresses from 8:30-10 a.m., with Pat Harvey reporting from Washington.

KMEX Channel 34 will air Univision’s Spanish-language coverage from 8-10 a.m., anchored by Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas.

PBS will have coverage from 7 a.m.-noon anchored by Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer (on KCET-TV Channel 28 and KPBS-TV Channel 15).

ABC, C-SPAN, CBS, CNN and NBC will all begin coverage of the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House and President Bush’s expected departure from Andrews Air Force Base at 11 a.m.

CBS turns its “48 Hours” (10 p.m.) over to the inauguration, with “Here Comes Mr. Clinton.”

Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric will co-anchor NBC’s special inaugural report at 10 p.m., reporting on the inaugural balls and showing highlights of earlier events. ABC’s “Nightline” will devote its 11:30 p.m. broadcast to the inauguration.

Finally, from 10-11:30 p.m., MTV will present “MTV’s 1993 Rock ‘n’ Roll Inaugural Ball,” hosted by Dennis Miller with live performances by Don Henley, Boyz II Men, 10,000 Maniacs, En Vogue and Clinton’s brother, Roger.