Today’s entertainment picks:

January 29, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

vHarlem Globetrotters, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.: Basketball comedy in two shows at Covelli Centre; 866-448-7849.

vNight of Irish Music, 7 p.m.: A host of Irish bands will perform, plus some Irish step-dancers and Irish food and beverages. St. Joseph Social Hall, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, Pa.; 724-981-3232.

v“Death Defying Acts,” 8 p.m.: Three one-act plays at the Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., Youngstown; 330-746-0404.

v“Love and Understanding,” 7:30 p.m.: Adult drama by Youngstown State University Theater at Spotlight Arena Theater, inside Bliss Hall, on the YSU campus; 330-941-3105.

vMike Jones, 8 p.m.: Comedian will perform at the Funny Farm comedy club at the Radisson Hotel, 3377 New Castle Road, West Middlesex, Pa.; 724-906-6164.

U.S. Figure Skating Championships (9 p.m., NBC): Those of you who thought “Skating With the Stars” was too fake and cheesy might want to check out the real thing as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships take place in Greensboro, N.C. On tap tonight will be the women’s final.

“MEGA PYTHON VS. GATOROID” (9 p.m., Syfy): Bet you’ve been wondering what 1980s pop stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany have been up to lately. Wonder no more. They’re chewing scenery in this low-budget TV film that boasts lots of scary creatures, computer-generated special effects and even a “Dynasty”-style cat fight. The plot line? Monstrous reptiles clash in the Florida Everglades when giant pythons threaten the alligator population. OK, so it’s not “Masterpiece Theatre,” but it sounds like good, cheesy B-movie fun.

for a complete list of Television programming, see tv week insert.

LOCAL TOPICS ON TV

“Community Connection” (6:30 a.m. on 21 WFMJ-TV; and 10 a.m. Tuesday on Time Warner Cable community access channel): Victor Wan-TaTah of the Africana Studies Program at Youngstown State University will join host Madonna Chism Pinkard for a discussion concerning educational programming for African-American History month sponsored by YSU.

Next, Katrina Walker of Hospice of the Valley will discuss the fourth annual Covenant Breakfast, featuring Dr. Darrell Grace and honoring the late Dr. Ernest Perry.

Finally, Charlotte Diss and Lee Meadows of the American Heart Association will discuss the upcoming Go Red for Women Day on Feb. 4, and how to recognize signs of heart disease in women.

“Increase the Peace” (6:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday on MyYTV): State Sen. Joe Schiavoni will join host Andrea Mahone to discuss the state budget.

“Sunday Morning with Dee” (8 a.m. Sunday on WKBN-TV 27): Jamira Ellis of Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership will join host Dee Crawford to talk about how to get assistance through HEAP (Heating Emergency Assistance Program).