TV & VIDEO - Oct. 12, 1989

CBS will serve up a double dose of “Newhart” on Oct. 23 in a programming experiment that will give the new sitcom “The People Next Door,” which is fizzling in the ratings, the night off. A new “Newhart” story will run in the “People” slot at 8:30 p.m. and then a repeat episode will be shown in the regular “Newhart” spot at 10:30 p.m. CBS wouldn’t comment officially on the move, but a network source said the experiment could result in “People” getting canceled, “Newhart” remaining at 8:30 p.m. and a new comedy being added to the lineup, depending on ratings.