Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • 27

The Sioux City Journal, Friday, September 13. 1996-C 3 SUNDAY The Steve Harvey Show (7:30 p.m., The WB) "'e Boys" may not have launched comedian wucvo nutvey career dui it did interest producers in incn question. Moving him trom home to school, i Producers Of this series hnno thm; ran right spark. Plus: Harvey dumped the kids. Minus: Too manti tnnHU- I -il moi iy icaoneis nave siaKea out television this season.

Life With Roaer f8 D.m. Thn wm when a ilk i Micnaei i. rox, len, stars in stranger comes knocking, beware. He's either selling "Spin City," one of the series ex 1 pected to be a hit this fall on ABC. a wdiub io move in.

LUCKiiy, tne SOOn-tO-be-wed Jason fMaurir.fi finding fi one who falls in the latter category. Roger (Mike ividiiuy; Decomes uscarto his helix and straightens him OUt about life Inufi and that fianrno Pluc-Thic odd couple really is different. Minus: Who are Maurice I I 1 I r- I vjuuiii anu MiKe wianeyr MONDAY Dangerous Minds (7 D.m.. ABC) Michelle Pfeiffer walked through the valley of the shadow of death on the big screen. Now Annie Potts talks the talk.

Based on Louanne Johnson's experiences as an inner city teacher, the series has potential to be another "White bnadow. The first episode is very good and promising. Plus: Potts is a great actress and a touqh teacher. Minus: Coolio turns up as a guidance coun selor. I nats right Coolio.

Cosby (7 p.m., CBS) You can tell this isn't the assembled to fight all problems medical. Remember That's the premise. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Tamlyn Tomita and James Black star. Plus: It could be considered an "ER" rip-off. Minus: Those spacesuits don't exactly promote stellar acting.

Spin City (8:30 p.m., ABC) If there's a sure thing this year, this is it. Michael J. Fox plays the deputy mayor of New York who does everything he can to keep the big guy (Barry Bostwick) in office. The writing is bright, the acting is brighter and the timeslot is brightest. Plus: Fox on ABC.

Minus: It's not an hour long. WEDNESDAY Townies (7:30 p.m., ABC) Molly Ringwald went to Paris and nearly abandoned her acting career. Instead, she came back to the states for this, a sitcom about three middle-class friends looking for a way out. The series attempts a "Mystic Pizza" tone but Ringwald ain't no Julia Roberts. Plus: It's up against two other newcomers and John Larroquette's sluggish series.

Minus: It's poorly written and performed. Pearl (7:30 p.m., CBS) Rhea Periman returns to television as a woman eager for an education. She enrolls in college, brushes up against a gruff professor (Malcolm McDowell) and learns to cope. The pilot is funny, the series could be even funnier. If there's a "Cheers" grad worth betting on, it's Periman.

She's funny. Plus: Rhea is real. Minus: Teacher comedies are more plentiful than teachers. Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher (8:30 p.m., The WB) If Jim Carrey got a gig as a substitute teacher, he might look a lot like this guy unpredictable, wild and more fun than any students deserve. Mitch Mullany plays the juvenile mind in the juvenile world.

Plus: It could click with kids. Minus: Kids know how to use the remote. Public Morals (8:30 p.m., CBS) This series was about to bring gutter language to television until wiser heads prevailed. A much-debated phrase has been excised from this comedy about a public morals department of a police department. A group of unknowns play the various men and women posing as hookers and johns just to catch more hookers and johns.

Plus: It's from Steven Bochco. Minus: Bochco didn't write it. Men Behaving Badly (8:30 p.m., NBC) Ron Eldard and Rob Schneider play boorish roommates who drive Justine Bateman wild. They do everything civilized man professes not to. Lots of belching, swearing and joking goes on, all in the name of attracting god knows who.

Plus: Bateman's better than she was on "Family Ties." Minus: This show goes too far. The Jamie Foxx Show (8:30 p.m., The WB) -Martin succeeded, why can't Jamie? In this comedy designed around the talents of the "In Living Color" star, Foxx plays a would-be entertainer who dreams of stardom but ends up living at his aunt and uncle's hotel. Plus: It gives Foxx a home away from Fox. Minus: It features Garrett Moris in yet another recognizable role. EZ Streets (9 p.m., CBS) Ken Olin and Jason Gedrick play two men from opposite sides of the police barrier who butt up against each other in a dying town.

Crime is rampant, but there's a desire to right some wrongs. The series is highly atmospheric but confusing. The audience might not sit still. Plus: Olin and Gedrick didn't pick a loser. Minus: Audiences already have a cop choice in "Law and Order." By Bruce R.

Miller 1996 1997 Fall TV schedule New show 6- 6:30 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. Funniest Videos Lois Clark Movie (through 11 p.m.) fc 60 Minutes Touched By An Angel Move (through 11 p.m.) LA. Firefghte's TheSimpsons NedandStacey TheX-Files jL Dateline NBC 3rd Rock From Sun Boston Common Movie (through 11 p.m.) Kirk Love Parent 'Hood Steve Harvey Unhappily Ever Afterj Life With Roger 7 7- 7:30 p.m. p.m. p.m.

p.m. 9-10 p.m. Dangerous NFL Monday Night Football (j Cosby Ink Mu'phy Brown Cybil! Chicago Hope fcftAI Melrose Place Jeff Foxworthy Mr. Rhodes Movie inthe House Roseanne Heme Improvement Spin City NYPD Blue KSl Movie ui.l ijfl Mad About You Something So Right Frasier Caroline in the City Dateline NBC Con Moesha Homeboys in OutSpace The Burning Zone MMMkM- Ellen Townies Grace Under Fire Drew Carey PrimeTime Live The Nanny Almost Perfect ijj Beverly Hills, 90210 Party of Five jj'fc Wings John Larroquette NewsRadio Men Behaving Badly Law Order Sister, Sister Teach. The Wayans Bros.

Jamie (u'n The Sentinel 7 Star High Incident Murder One Turning Point Dia9nosis Murder Moloney 48 Hours a Martin Living Single NewYork Undercover i Friends The Single Guy Seinfeld Suddenly Susan ER 0 Family Matters Sabrina. the Teen. Witch Clueless Boy Meets World 2020 Dave's World Ewr, Lc Raymond Mr. and Mrs. Srrith Nash Bridges ICSSl Sliders $fL Unsolved Mysteries Dateline NBC Homicide 0 Second Noah Coach Common Law Dr.

Quinn. Medicine Woman Early Edition Walker. Texas Ranger fcSI Cops jCcps Married wChildren Love and Marriage Huxtable home. Cliff (oops, we mean Cos) isn't wearing expensive sweaters and Claire isn't heading off to the law firm. Otherwise, the series is pretty much business as usual.

An early pilot gave Madeline Kahn (a friend) more to do than Phylicia Rashad. But considering this is Cosby, expect the finished product to be pretty darn good. Plus: Cosby. Minus: Been there, done that. 7th Heaven (7 p.m., The WB) Remember when people used to say minister's kids are worse than laymen's? That's the premise behind this warmhearted family drama.

Stephen Collins plays a minister who knows it takes a village to raise a family, patherine Hicks plays his wife. Plus: Family dramas Aren't plentiful. Minus: Stephen Collins hasn't had a hitinyears. jink (7:30 p.m., CBS) Anyone who talks about Gable and Lombard, Tracy and Hepburn, Grant and Dunne doesn't have a premise. That was the situation earlier this summer when Ted Danson and Mary Steen-purgen trotted out the lame pilot to their first post- marriage series.

Cast as a divorced couple tossed together in a newspaper office, they exhibited little bhemistry. Yet Diane English (the brains behind 'Murphy came in last week and, presumably, will shake things up. The "Ink" won't hit the page until October, giving everyone a chance to work out the kinks. Who said news comedies had to be timely? Plus: Danson has a great track record. Minus: Dan-son's ready for a fall.

Mr. Rhodes (7:30 p.m., NBC) In the ever-expanding teacher universe, add Mr. Rhodes, Tom Rhodes. Formerly a stand-up comedian, Rhodes plays an unconventional teacher who makes learning fun. Unfortunately, he's about a decade too late for today's audience.

This class definitely needs an audience that will grade on a curve. Plus: It's on NBC. Minus: The show is really bad. Malcolm and Eddie (7:30 p.m., UPN) If Neil Simon got royalties every time somebody ripped off his "Odd Couple," he'd be an even richer man. This time out, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Eddie Griffin play roomies who have different goals and outlooks.

Naturally, comedy emerges from their exploits. Uh-(iuh. Plus: Warner has a reputation. Minus: This could ruin it. Party Girl (8 p.m., Fox) Christine Taylor plays Alicia-Silverstone in "Clueless." Unfortunately, there's another series called "Clueless" and it's not based on fln independent film called "Party Girl." Taylor has energy but that's hardly enough to keep the "Melrose" crowd in tow.

Expect the party to end early. Plus: It doesn't look like anyone spent too much money on the pilot. Minus: Been there. Done that, Part II. Goode Behavior (3 p.m., UPN) Years ago, Sherman Hemsley was movin' on up.

Now, he's just holding his own. In this comedy, he plays the estranged father of Dorien Wilson. The two reunite when Hemsley is placed under house arrest and put in his son's custody. Plus: Wilson was good in "Dream On." Minus: This ain't "Dream On." Lush Life (8:30 p.m., Fox) Sioux City's own Lori Petty takes the series plunge following a string of feature films but this might not be the best launching pad. She and best friend Karyn Parsons play friends who struggle through life.

Last season, "Hope and Gloria" did much the same thing. That show, though, had better writers. This one is penned by its stars. Oh-oh. Plus: Its producers can blame a poor lead-in for its fate.

Minus: It's not funny. Sparks (8:30 p.m., UPN) When a father-and-son law firm gets a new partner a new female partner, sparks fly or so the producers hope. "Fresh Prince" grad James Avery tangles with Mike Tyson ex Robin Givens. Hmmm. She can take him in two rounds, despite the weight advantage.

Plus: Ed. Weinberger produces hits. Minus: UPN hasn't had one yet. TUESDAY Promised Land (7 p.m., CBS) If you know how many angels dance on the head of a pin, you'll love this show. Spun off from "Touched by an Angel," it attempts to show the goodness that exists in America.

Gerald McRaney plays an unemployed man who takes his family around the country, picking up stray jobs and stray philosophies. It tries too hard to revive Michael Landon's oeuvre. It's really "The Grapes of Wrath" in a minivan. Plus: Some people like this swill. Minus: Most people don't.

Life's Work (7:30 p.m., ABC) Lisa Ann Walter is not the new star that ABC would like you to believe. She tried a Fox show a year or two ago and bombed. Now she has the force of Disney behind her and a new husband (Michael O'Keefe, Jackie's ex on Because the show was in a state of flux, no pilot was available. But if people are bandying about phrases like "the next Roseanne" this could be worth watching. Then, again, Roseanne's not going anywhere so there's no need for another.

Plus: It's scheduled after "Roseanne." Minus: Television's capacity for loud women has been reached. Something So Right (7:30 p.m. NBC) The "thir- tysomething" crowd is making a comeback this year in surprisingly different vehicles. Mel Harris, the dour Hope, tries comedy and shows some facility for it. She plays the Florence Henderson half of a blended family.

Jere Burns is the Robert Reed half. Their kids don't get along; their house isn't exactly a haven. Because the series has the faint odor of packaging (Harris would never fall for Burns), it could be something so very wrong. Plus: It's on Must-see Tuesday. Minus: So's "Caroline in the City." Homeboys in Outer Space (7:30 p.m., UPN) -The alums from NBC's black shows have moved to UPN.

Darryl M. Bell, a grad of "Different World," joins comedian Flex as 23rd century handymen who jump from planet to planet to make money. Plus: It'sdif-' ferent. Minus: "Third Rock From the Sun" has the "different" market cornered. The Burning Zone (8 p.m., UPN) If NBC's Saturday lineup wasn't enough to make you paranoid, take a look at this.

A team of virologists and scientists are THURSDAY Moloney (8 p.m., CBS) Peter Strauss wanted to get out of the made-for-TV movie rat race, so he put his name in the hat for series and landed this drama about an offbeat police psychiatrist. What he didn't realize is the streets are littered with shows about shrinks. Remember Lindsay Wagner's attempt? Enough said. Plus: It's not expected to do well because it's up against "Seinfeld." Minus: If you're going to watch a drama instead of "Seinfeld," it ain't gonna be this one. Suddenly Susan (8:30 p.m, NBC) Brooke Shields is going to surprise a lot of people.

As a suddenly single magazine writer, she walks in the shadow of Mary Tyler Moore and towers. In the show's first pilot, she was quite funny and self-deprecating. In the finished product, she's supposed to be even better. Plus: She's in God slot between "Seinfeld" and "ER." Minus: She has Judd Nelson as a boss. FRIDAY Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (7:30 p.m., ABC) -If you're a kid, this is a series based on a Showtime special.

If you're an adult, it's a series based on the old Archie Comics character. Whatever, there's a lot of hocus pocus and not much fun. Melissa Joan Hart plays the title character. Her mom is the series' producer. Plus: It's different.

Minus: Most rational people don't stay home on Friday night. Everybody Loves Raymond (7:30 p.m., CBS) Standup Ray Romano has one of the funniest series of the year. He plays a father of three who tries to juggle parents, siblings, spouse and children despite incredible odds. The lines are great; the star is greater. Plus: Brad Garrett is a hoot as Romano's beleaguered brother.

Minus: Most rational people don't stay home on Friday night. Millennium (8 p.m., Fox) Hands down, this is the best new drama on television. Lance Henriksen plays a former FBI agent who has an uncanny ability to find serial killers. He deals in creep territory and Chris Carter (the creator of "The brings it all to life, quite chillingly. The pilot is quite intense.

But for fans of "Files" it's the best reason to be afraid, very afraid. Plus: The show's look is fabulous. Minus: The people who say television isnt very inventive probably won't be watching. Clueless (8 p.m., ABC) It's amazing how quickly styles change. When Amy Heckeriing introduced movie audiences to this rendition of "Emma," they roared.

When she foists it upon television audiences, they'll probably change channels. Starring Rachel Blanchard, the comedy is a discount knock-off of a designer original. Yes, a few of the film's actors reprise their roles here, but they're not enough. As if. Plus: It has name recognition.

Minus: Most films don't adapt well to the weekly television grind. -Mr. and Mrs. Smith (8 p.m., CBS) Scott Bakula and Maria Bello play "Hart to Hart" games as a couple thrown together to handle cases for a top-secret industrial company. They're not really a couple.

They just play one on TV. Plus: Maria Bello is one of the season's biggest finds. Minus: Been there, done that. SATURDAY Dark Skies (7 p.m., NBC) All summer NBC has been trying to make a tie between this and "Independence Day." They could have linked it to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," as well, but audiences have short attention spans. The premise, of course, involves aliens coming to Earth.

You be the judge. Plus: No one knows viewers' capacity for sci-fi. Minus: Even "Star Trek" bombed when it was on a network. Early Edition (8 p.m., CBS) Suppose someone dumped tomorrow's newspaper on your doorstep today. Would you use it for good or evil? Kyle Chandler SEE THE NEW SEASON continued on page C4 AP The undecideds 1.

Cosby 2. 'lnk 3. Suddenly Susan 4. Moloney 5. Life's Work The five best new series 1.

Spin City 2. Millennium 3. Relativity 4. Everybody Loves Raymond 5. EZ Streets The five worst new series 1.

Lush Life 2. Mr. Rhodes 3. Public Morals 4. Clueless 5.

Goode Behavior.