TV picks for Sept. 2:  "Uncle Grandpa," James Franco, "The Story of Film"

"Uncle Grandpa" (7 p.m., Cartoon Network) tries to recapture the magic of "Pee-wee's Playhouse" with an animated collection of characters including Pizza Steve, Belly Bag and Giant Realistic Flying Tiger, all traveling around in an RV. Um, please pass either the remote or the 'shrooms.

It's nearly impossible to predict what producers will keep in the pre-taped "The Comedy Central Roast of James Franco" (9 p.m., Comedy), but I'm guessing they won't be able to use this sure-to-offend zinger from Jeffrey Ross referencing the roastee's Oscar hosting duties: "You and Anne Hathaway had the comedic chemistry of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman."

If your idea of celebrating the early days of cinema is watching a John Hughes marathon, you may be fascinated (or utterly bored) by "The Story of Film: An Odyssey" (9 p.m., TCM), a 15-episode documentary that kicks off with a look at the pioneering work done between 1895 and 1918.

Neal Justin