Find food at fun parks

The Food network offers a high-calorie tour of America’s thrill rides, theme parks and tourist attractions on “Amusement Park Eats” (8 p.m. today, Food). George Duran hosts a cross-country tour of the cuisine associated with Ferris wheels and roller coasters. If you think the story begins and ends with hot dogs and cotton candy, think again.

Duran visits a California theme park where boysenberries are the big treat. In fact, they were “invented” there. What’s the favorite dish at Virginia’s Busch Gardens? It’s cannelloni. Who knew? Dolly Parton shares secrets of the barbecue served up at Dollywood. Disneyworld’s Sunshine Gardens offers kids and tourists the chance to devour squash shaped like Mickey Mouse. Now that’s goofy. Traditionalists can take comfort (food) in Duran’s visit to Coney Island, famous for its hot dogs.

¢ Actor and comedian Robert Wuhl conducts another lesson on “Assume the Position 201” (9 p.m. today, HBO), a myth-shattering take on history presented like a lecture in front of real students. Wuhl asks his class to take a second look at some of our most denigrated presidents and think again about some of our heroes and cherished icons.

¢ “Science of Speed Eating” (8 p.m. Sunday, National Geographic) answers the questions you probably don’t even want to ask. How do those contestants shove dozens of hot dogs down their gullet without getting sick? Without doing bodily harm? And how is it that the winners of these glutton fests often turn out to be skinny?

“Science” visits with petite champion Sonya Thomas. Known as “The Black Widow,” she weighs in at 105 pounds and often out-gobbles men four times her size. Her records include eating 65 hardboiled eggs in 10 minutes, 46 oysters in 10 minutes and 48 tacos. That took her 11 minutes, though.

No, speed eating isn’t just about hot dogs and pies anymore. There are more than 100 contests a year. At least one involves the consumption of massive amounts of asparagus. Eating enthusiasts George and Richard Shea have even tried to get a competitive-eating event into the Olympics. It seems they will have to meet at the concession stands.

Tonight’s highlights

¢ Ann Curry and Carson Daly host coverage of “Live Earth: The Concert for a Climate in Crisis” (7 p.m., NBC) from Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

¢ Homeowners learn energy-saving tips on “Green Me Up” (8 p.m., DIY).

Sunday’s highlights

¢ Lavish parties predominate on the original cable movie “Super Sweet 16: The Movie” (11 a.m., MTV).

¢ Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., CBS): warnings from the U.S. comptroller general; India’s vanishing tigers; unadopted foster children.