The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 47

Thursday APRIL 19. 1999 THE TtHHCSSCAH SD Wings' premiere flies, but fails to soar Television" We Make Physician Referrals by: BSpecialty BLocajton BTypeof Insurance 0 Office Hours Call Baptist CareFintlsrs 329-MB4U a free service of Baptist Hospital What's important to you in finding the right doctor is important to us. TOMSHALK Washington Post A new sitcom from the producers ofCheers? It sounds so promising. But this is the TV season of Don't Get Your Hopes Up. Wings, which premieres on NBC today (8:30 p.ra, WSMV-Channel 4), is more of a letdown than a pick-me-up.

It helps to read the fine print Wings is not from the creators of Cheers but from three producers who joined that show after it began. David Angell came to Cheers as a staff writer in 1983, a year after the show premiered; Peter Casey and David Lee arrived in 1985. In addition, the pilot for Wings (meaning the first trial episode, not the guy who plays a pilot in it) was directed by James Burrows, who has directed most episodes of Cheers from the very beginning. No one could say these people dont know what they're doing. And the Wings premiere does have a few solid laughs.

It doesn't nosedive, but it doesn't soar, either. In part, the flight crew is a problem. Timothy Daly, who stars as Joe Hackett, the pilot who owns a one-plane commuter airline in Nantucket, is a first-rate dramatic actor, as he proved last year in the undeservedly short-lived CBS drama series Almost just passes you by." Biggins, well played by David Schramm, made the mistake of being fat and staying fat This is against the canons of what passes for religion in Hollywood. Souls can only be redeemed through svelteness of the flesh. Meanwhile, sparing no one, the disorderly Brian barks at his orderly brother, "Does the word 'anal' mean anything to you?" It should.

It's now been used on almost every sitcom on television. All this sibling ribbing takes place on a handsome two-tiered set thafs supposed to be a small airline terminal at Tom Nevers Field. The terminal obviously plays the same way-station role as the bar in Cheers and the garage in Taw. Both those shows had more sympathetic characters and more amusing casts than Wings does. But did they start out any more auspiciously? Maybe their first episodes were full of glitches, too.

Wings might eventually get airborne, but the first flight is rocky and choppy. Wings is a candidate for the fall season getting an on-air spring tryout At the moment the airwaves are thick with these shows. After months of delay, NBC finally premiered the series version of the hit movie Working Girl recently, to see if it might fly forfait. On the basis of the premiere, the answer is no, no, a thousand times no. Nancy McKeon was originally to inherit the Melanie Griffith role from the film, but last year she bailed out of the series citirtg the usual all-purpose explanation of "creative differences." Perhaps she whiffed the aroma of a lemon in the works.

Now the part of the young secretary who leapfrogs her way into the executive suite is played by the nondescript Sandra Bullock, who is perfectly pleasant and about as memorable as the average crosstown bus ride. The producers gave her a home life, and who turns up as her blue-collar papa but David Schramm, the corpulent Biggins from Wings. He's much less effective on Working Gai, since he plays a cliche and continually spouts them as welL Despite such failures as Baby Boom and Animal House and many more, networks continue to attempt series versions of hit movies. CBS has three in the works for next season: Big, Uncle Buck and Steel Magnolias. Some may be hits.

But NBCs Woridng Girl does not have the makings of a crowd-pleasing smash. The problem is simple. The producers forgot to ask themselves one simple question: Why would anybody want to watch this? Grown. But he seems a little melancholy to be the star of a sitcom. Joe's brother Brian, played by Steven Weber, is meant to be a vivid contrast, a wild irreverent maverick as -opposed to Joe, the cautious conservative.

Joe wears a tie and a button-down collar, Brian has an untucked shirt and several days worth of stubble flowering on his face. But the conflicts and rivalries between them aren't particularly mirthful. Brian ran off with Joe's girlfriend, Carol, years earlier, then Carol ran out on him. Now it appears they're both going to vie for the affections of Helen Chappel (Crystal Bernard), whom they've both known since she was a chubby child. Chappel's chubby no more, and Bernard is down-home funny in a way that brings to mind Park Overall, the endearing Arkansas dynamo on NBCs Empty Nest.

Part of Brian's alleged charm is his penchant for making caustic and insulting remarks to people who aren't cool like him. He accosts Roy Biggins, the owner of a rival airline with, "Hey, Sansabelt slacks! Boy, I miss one issue of GQand the fashion world Cancer, business deals bring financial success LEVANTE ing a piece of property. There is greater harmony in love. Oct 24 to Nov. 21 (SCORPIO) Take another step toward letting go of Inhibiting thoughts or emotions.

Look for significant breakthroughs at work. It's time to get yourself out of a time bind. Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 (SAGITTARIUS) If your personal life isn't satisfying, it may be a result of your inability to listen; open your ears.

Delays can operate on your behalf. Stay enthusiastic Dec 22 to Jan. 19 (CAPRICORN) Keep your ambitions in perspective by not overreaching yourself. Someone of psychological insight may be able to explain you to yourself Emotional breakthroughs are possible. Jan.

20 to Feb. 18 (AQUARIUS) Your receptivity to those around you can make your life satisfying and fulfilling. Take a short-range view of goals. You may soon have a Gemini partner to love. Feb.

19 to March 20 (PISCES) Personal satisfaction is what counts, not just the money you get from the job. Something intangible guides you over the rough spots. A good diet can improve your attitude. TODAY'S BIRTHDAY: Sharing is the key to your success this year. The beauty and colors of the Southwest, as captured byLevante'.

Fluid sand-washed silk separates in marvelous desert shades of JOYCE J1LLSON Tribune Media Services Mercury opposite Pluto could bring an ultimatum that someone forces upon you. Ask yourself what you truly want instead. Venus friendly to Neptune opens romantic possibilities. If nothing else, friendships can be a joy. The moon in Aquarius brings out your people-oriented ways.

Plan a party for the weekend! March 21 to April 19 (ARIES) Your eagerness to make changes in your personal or domestic life should be viewed positively. If your present job is a drag, seek another one. You have influential friends. April 20 to May 20 (TAURUS) Let yourself explore the fun ideas that are coming your way. If you have idle time, consider doing service work.

You should support your partner's emotional growth. May 21 to June 21 (GEMINI) You should listen if your partner is in a talkative mood. Take seriously your need to achieve. Your help might be required in handling someone's as-sets June 22 to July 22 (CANCER) Developing a business partnership could be the key to your financial suo cess. Idealistic careers can work.

Avoid letting your shyness unneces- sarily inhibit you. July 23 to Aug. 22 (LEO) -Get actively involved in something; dont be just a spectator. If working, you could use a fresh challenge to your creativity. Keep developing your management skills.

Aug. 23 to Sept 22 (VIRGO) If time to let yourself shine. You will be your own best adviser in most situations. Before making financial decisions, mull over your thoughts carefully. Sept 23 to Oct 23 (LIBRA) Your willingness to experiment with fresh ideas can bring untold joy your way.

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Build emotional and financial support systems. In May, business or personal matters need time to mature; play the waiting game. June brings career success and perhaps big money. Release relationships that are no longer satisfying in July. You can make new starts in August Be forthright In October, you have additional time to play.

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