‘Curb’ takes peculiar slant on racism

¢ “Saturday Night Live” (10:30 p.m. today, NBC) enters its 31st season. Steve Carell (“The Office,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) is host, and Kanye West performs. This marks the debut broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” in high definition.

¢ Can a show that specializes in petty annoyances tackle big subjects like bigotry? “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (9 p.m. Sunday, HBO) looks at both racism and homophobia from Larry David’s peculiar perspective.

David’s character finds himself shunned by the local lesbian community after he tells a friend that he’s happy his formerly gay daughter is dating a man. When David’s adopted puppy demonstrates a singular hostility toward black people, he is accused of owning a “Klan dog.” And, taken with the snappy dress of Black Muslims, Larry sports a bowtie only to be mocked as “Tucker Carlson.” Spectacularly silly, this memorable episode recalls some of the great “Seinfeld” moments when topics like abortion, AIDS ribbons and making out during “Schindler’s List” were not considered too hot to handle.

Today’s highlights

¢ A jet crash rains down a $1 billion in checks on “CSI: Miami” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ On back-to-back episodes of “Surface” (NBC), aquatic mysteries (7 p.m.), strange critters waddle ashore (8 p.m.).

¢ Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): a husband who was under suspicion of murder for 20 years, only to be cleared by the confession of the BTK killer.

¢ Stabler confronts a rapist who slipped through the cracks on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).

Sunday’s highlights

¢ Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., CBS): interviews with Elian Gonzales and Ahmed Chalabi; multiple personality disorders.

¢ Tom Bergeron is host to the 16th-season premiere of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (6 p.m., ABC).

¢ Santos walks a fine line between loyalty and expedience on “The West Wing” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Brad Paisley performs on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ Shirley Knight guest stars on “Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Dr. Webber’s marriage needs intensive care on “Grey’s Anatomy” (9 p.m., ABC).

¢ Ben Stiller guest stars on “Extras” (9:30 p.m., HBO).