Syndicated Shows Mean Business

Syndicated shows--those made exclusively to air on local stations--have a higher profile this year to help independent TV stations combat the heavy competition from networks and cable this fall.

Here are highlights of what’s coming to Los Angeles-area stations this fall:

KCBS

“Smash Hits With Scott Shannon”--A look at pop hits, hosted by the KQLZ disc jockey. Premiers Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

KNBC

“Memories....Then and Now”--Chuck Scarborough looks at past events with today’s perspective. Premieres Saturday at 7 p.m.

“On Scene: Emergency Response”--A look at real-life emergencies and the people who save lives. Premieres Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m.

“Weekend Travel Update”--Infotainment series offering consumer travel news. Premieres Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m.

KTLA

“My Talk Show”--This Monday-Friday late-night comedy series is about a former UHF talk-show host from Derby, Wisc., who broadcasts from her garage in front of a live audience seated in bleachers. Guests during the first week will include Peter “RoboCop” Weller. Cynthia Stevens stars as talk-show host Jennifer Bass. Premieres Sept. 24 at 11:30 p.m.

“Super Force”--Ken Olandt, G. Gordon Liddy, Patrick Macnee and Lisa Niemi (Mrs. Patrick Swayze) star in a weekly futuristic action-adventure series about a plain-clothes cop who turns into the ultimate force against evil when he secretly dons a specially designed suit. Premieres Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

“21 Jump Street”--Those baby-faced undercover cops may have been canceled by Fox, but they are alive and well in first-run syndication. Star Johnny Depp, though, has graduated to feature films and will not return. Premieres Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.

KABC

“Instant Recall”--Former NBC newscaster John Palmer hosts this new weeknight series, which looks back to a moment or date in history and flashes to what else was happening on that date. Already premiered. Airs 7 p.m.

“Preview--The Best of the New”--This new weeknight entertainment magazine highlights upcoming entertainment events. Already premiered. Airs at 1 a.m.

KCAL

“Big Break”--Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole hosts a weekly variety series, which will feature new musical talent alongside established performers such as M.C. Hammer, Michael McDonald, Regina Belle and Patti LaBelle. Premieres Saturday at 6 p.m.

“The Golden Girls”--Monday-Saturday repeats of the Emmy Award-winning comedy series, starting Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

“Night Flight”--A weekly blend of comedy, music and movie spoofs features new sketches and elements from the original series that aired on the USA Network. Premieres Sept. 23 at 2 a.m.

“Reunion”--James Brolin hosts this weekly series that brings together separated family members who have been searching for each other. Premieres Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.

“227”--Marla Gibbs and Jackee headline the Monday-Saturday reruns of this sitcom about the denizens of a Washington, D.C., apartment house, starting Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

KTTV

“The $1,000,000 Video Challenge”--Chuck Henry of “Eye on L.A.” is the host of this series using staged dramatic, music and comedic videos submitted by viewers. Winners in each category will be selected by a rotating panel of judges consisting of producers, directors, actors and agents. Air time and date to be announced.

“Personalities”--Charlie Rose, late of CBS’ “Nightwatch” series, hosts this new weeknight show profiling people making headlines. Airs Monday-Friday at 7 p.m.

“What a Dummy”--Kaye Ballard stars in the sitcom about a “live” dummy with a mind of his own and a mouth to match. Premieres the week of Sept. 17.

KCOP

“The Byron Allen Show”--The young comic kicks off the second season of his weekly talk show and moves from KABC to KCOP, Friday at midnight.

“Head of the Class”--Weekday repeats of the ABC sitcom about a laid-back high school teacher assigned to a classroom of brilliant students, starting Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.

“New Music Report”--Doug E. Doug and M.C. Serch host this weekly music video series. Premieres Saturday at 1 a.m.

“Showtime at the Apollo”--The weekly musical variety series begins its new season by moving from KNBC to KCBS, starting Saturday at midnight.

KDOC

“St. Elsehwere”--Reruns of the Emmy Award-winning dramatic series start Sept. 17 and will air weeknights at 7 and Saturdays at 9 p.m.