FIRST OFF . . .

The Maxes are back! Headroom and Maxwell, that is. “Max Headroom,” ABC’s futuristic series that was yanked from the network’s schedule four weeks into the fall season because of abysmal ratings, will return to the ABC lineup in three weeks, the network announced Thursday. Dabney Coleman’s “Slap Maxwell”--getting somewhat better ratings than Max--will also return to the ABC lineup with original episodes in four weeks. “Max Headroom” returns with original episodes Thursday, April 28, 8-9 p.m., replacing “Probe,” which concludes its trial run April 14. “We had original episodes left over” after the fall cancellation, an ABC spokesman said, adding: “I don’t think we ever said it would never come back.” “Slap Maxwell” returns on Friday, May 6, 9:30-10 p.m. It replaces “Family Man,” which completes its trial run April 29.