More retro rewinds
(Peacock, streaming): Cameron Crowe adapted this very funny and sometimes surprisingly sweet\ 1982 film (which Amy Heckerling directed) from his same-named book for which he went incognito at a California high school, and though certain characters here may be more like caricatures – take, for instance, surfing-minded stoner Jeff Spicoli (played by Sean Penn) – the result is enormously entertaining. Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Forest Whitaker are among others playing students, with the great character actor Ray Walston the most notable adult as no-nonsense teacher Mr. Hand
(Catchy Comedy, Sunday, March 31): A weekend festival of these specials continues, with such personalities as Ruth Buzzi, Jimmie Walker, Red Buttons, Foster Brooks, impressionist Rich Little and the king of ’Roast” regulars – Don Rickles – making frequent appearances on the dais. Among those who are feted during the concluding day of the marathon are Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, Michael Landon (who actually was honored at a couple of the “Roasts,” including the very last one staged), Sammy Davis Jr. and Betty White.
(MGM+ Marquee, Sunday, March 31): Mike Myers and Dana Carvey brought their “Saturday Night Live” characters Wayne and Garth to the big screen and scored a major hit with this 1992 comedy. The buddies’ public-access show draws the attention of a slick TV producer (Rob Lowe) who wants to acquire their program, and though they’re tantalized initially by the prospect of wide fame, things take a turn that prompt them to regain control of their property. Tia Carrere, Lara Flynn Boyle and music icons Meat Loaf and Alice Cooper also turn up here.
(get TV, Sunday, March 31): Spun off from “Maude” – which in turn, came from “All in the Family” – this Norman Lear-produced sitcom was acclaimed, and has remained renowned, for its theme of urban realism. The opening episode, “Too Old Blues,” finds Evans family patriarch James (John Amos) unhappy about being excluded from his company’s union just as his wife Florida (Esther Rolle) is about to throw him a party. Co-star Jimmie Walker became a TV icon as eldest son J.J.