Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 49

3D ew on TV tionnght TODAY, Friday, March 15, 1985 Ed Asner returns in "Off the Rack' flu iR mr If'- iK-ft III' 74 WM sales pitch: "Brenda, do me a favor: Wear something that shows off your personalities." But by and large, the belly-laughs in "Off the Rack" are derived not from burlesque-style gags but rather from the clever situations and witty dialogue created for Asner and Brennan. The producers and co-writers, Steve Marshall and Dan Guntzelman, were involved in "WKRP in Cincinnati." For 12 years first on the classic "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and then on the formidable "Lou Grant" series, Asner was a television giant. 1 But he began angering a lot of viewers in 1981 with his real-life political pronouncements. The audience for "Lou Grant" shrunk so alarmingly that CBS canceled the show in 1982. Now Asner has cooled somewhat on the' political front and conservative viewers who abandoned him now appear more than willing to welcome an old friend back into their homes.

"Off the Rack" is a very good comedy project. By GARY DEEB TODAY Gorm.tt Ntw S.rvlc. It's been nearly three years since Ed Asner was in a weekly TV series. That's too long. With that end in view, ABC is giving a chance to a fine new situation comedy starring Asner and Eileen Brennan.

Entitled "Off the Rack," the half-hour series premieres tonight at 9:30. The show- had been a contender for a weekly ABC berth last September, but program bosses turned off because the co-stars supposedly are "too old" vetoed the project. Well, times change and so do networks. ABC has skidded into last place In the nighttime audience war, and suddenly that Asner comedy pilot looks better. In "Off the Rack," Asner plays a streetwise fella named Sam.

He's co-owner of a beleaguered garment business, and he really gets into financial hot "water when his longtime partner dies unexpectedly. Enter the widow, played with relish-on-wry by the estimable Brennan. She shocks Asner by deciding to take over her late husband's share of the business. "Off the Rack" is splendid stuff. It enables Asner to re-establish his credentials as one of America's most gifted actors, and it brings Brennan back to the forefront several years after her near-fatal car accident.

There are plenty of yock-lines, like when Asner lectures Brennan on the art of being successful in business: "Salesmanship ain't somethin' that comes naturally, like belching after a beer." Or when male chauvinist Asner encourages his large-breasted secretary to use her body to help his TODAY ABC Ed Asner plays a crochety, chauvinistic clothing manufacturer in 'Off the an ABC comedy that brings Asner back to the screen after a three-year absence. Eileen Brennan co-stars as the widow of Asner's partner, who shows up to Asner's shock to take over her late husband's share of the business. Also premiering tonight are two situation comedies. Above, Christopher Hewett plays an elegant Englishman come to bring order to a chaotic Pittsburgh home in 'Mr. at 8:30 p.m.

on ABC. Right, Judd Hirsch plays Press Wyman, an engineer who gives up his job to become a private detective. 'Detective in the House' airs at 8 p.m. on CBS. I- MURRAY St SSSv Inch folding handle.

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Periwinkle, Salvia. Marigold. Coleus. Moss Rose, IS) of varities Impatiens and many assorted vegetables Merritt square shopping mall, merritt island II MARCH 28, 29, 30 2 shows daily: 4:30 p.m. 8 p.m.

Saturday: 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. 8 p.m Tickets available at the following locations Sears Melbourne Only J.C. Penney Melbourne Only Little Caesars Pizza Melbourne Only Community Booth Merritt Square Mall Merritt Island 3 Children 4 Senior Citizens 7 Adults Reserved seats '1 extra I fry XI I I I AzaleaCamellia 1 6-6-6 100 organic If i I Landscape Plant. I 25-3-3 Wed A Feed I I I Wf I II II l9Hon I 20 lb. bag cover.

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