Daily News from New York, New York • 177

HAY Titanic' wallows 'Lydia' is a lark HL "Sflli series. Its creators, headed by Ed Weinberger, are the same group responsible for "Taxi" Though talented, they apparently found it hard to make their deadline. They should have held up on this one. If memory serves, however, I wasn't happy about the opening episode of "Taxi" either. "Trapper John, M.D.," based on the Wayne Rogers character in "MASH," has been produced by the same people who gave us "Medical Center." Pernell Roberts plays Trapper John 28 years after "MASH." A young doctor who served in Vietnam, and who reminds the older doctor of himself as a young man, is played by Gregory Harrison.

The hospital is made up of a lot of madcap doctors who can't begin to match the lunacy of "MASH." Its success will depend on how many viewers like medical shows. I am indifferent them passengers? Why did this great vessel sink? Such dramatic details could have made the film welcome. -----v ON SUNDAY NIGHT, TOO, "Love for Lydia" begins. This next Masterpiece Theater attraction on PBS (Channel 13, 9 p.m.) gives us, a British view of the Roaring 20s. In Britain, however, they called them the Careless "20s, and the times are captured delightfully by author H.E.

Bates, whose "Country Matters" was dramatized last season. The series will have a 12-week run so it's best to get acquainted with the principals immediately, starting with Mel Martin, a British flapper. She plays a stunning, spoiled brunette with a thirst for living, an eye for men and questionable morality. Her loves are portrayed by four men, the most important one is Richardson (played by Christopher Blake), a rxZ Sf David Janssen: Titanic'" Astor l-J-NEFLECTIONS OF YESTERDAY I the sinking of the Titanic, the LA Roaring '20s, the innocent years before World War IL Television will take you back in time starting Sunday with "S.O.S. Titanic," a three-hour ABC movie that starts at 9 p.m.

The viewing of this second film dramatization of the sea tragedy seems comparable to the time it took for this liner to sink beneath the sea. The precise moment in history was 11:40 p.m., April 14, 1912. The recounting of how this "unsinkable" vessel hit an iceberg that tore a giant hole in its hull never fails to capture one's interest. When the drama steers a factual course, it's absorbing viewing. Unfortunately, the three hours are padded with superficial romances and characters that never take shape because the script keeps zigzagging from reality to fiction, and the details of the tragedy are omitted.

THE CAST HAS actual as well as fictional characters. David Janssen plays the bearded, dignified John Jacob Astor, Bev-erly Ross is his young bride Madeline (a second marriage), Susan Saint James plays a schoolteacher who falls in love with David Warner; Ian Holm plays J. Bruce Ismay, the owner of the steamship company, Harry Andrews is Captain Smith and Cloris Leachman, as Molly Brown, offers a disastrously outlandish characterization. She needs a tight rein. Or was she just miscast? James Costigan, one of television's finest writers, did the script It desperately needed more history and less frills.

In fact, the Titanic sinking would have made a better docudrama. Vignettes of reality would have been far more worth our time than the silly romances. A docudrama could have started with the April 10 sailing for New York. The British Board of Trade said 1,503 people died in the tragedy. Why were there only 20 lifeboats for 2,223 persons, 1,324 of VDUH iMlTfl restless journalist, a sincere charmer who is captivated by the flirtatious Lydia.

Shot in the Northamptonshire north country, this visual romp is as carefree and leisurely as the period itself. As the characters take shape in weeks to come, they'll become part of your viewing life. Host Alistair Cooke says "Lydia" is about people "to whom pleasure and tragedy are homely things." I'LL TELL YOU about NBCs pre-World War II miniseries, "The Last Convertible," Monday. It starts that night On to two new series Sunday night "Trapper John, M.D." on CBS at 10 and "The Associates" on ABC at 8:30. The ABC comedy first It has a laugh track that will knock you right out of your seat That's because the show isn't ready for viewing.

It needs lots more work. Wilfrid Hyde-White stars as the senior member of a stodgy Wall Street law firm with young associates. At the moment its more a happening than a A- The NYRA's Fall Championship series continues this Saturday with the ward. And Affirmed, racing's first multimillionaire and a leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors, will be challenged by a fine field of thoroughbreds. This is a race you won't want to miss.

But if you can't get out to Belmont Park, you don't have to miss out on the action. At OTB you can bet the Woodward as part of the late Daily Double. You can also bet Win, Place and Show on the eighth and ninth races as well as the exciting ninth race Triple Then watch it all on TV and root your winners home. Every Saturday NYRAOTB brings you the "Racing from Belmont" TV show with experts Frank Wright and Charisie -Cantey, Marshall Cassidy announcing. Saturday racing on TV bne more way we're winning you over to OTB.

2 to I i P3 0 to to to it a. I1M1I la a.L i inis Saturday, watch nyraotb "Racing from Belmont" show, WOR-TV, Ch. 9, P.M. i i rl'l i I i .9.,.