Get Those VCRs Ready for Anti-Sweeps Shows

TV or not TV. . . .

HIGH TIMES: Quick--break out the VCR.

No, not for “The Simpsons” versus “The Cosby Show,” or any of that stuff.

While the networks gear up for the November ratings sweeps, there are alternatives for TV connoisseurs.

Saturday night, KCET Channel 28 airs the double feature “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” and “Welcome to L.A.”

It’s part of a KCET film series in which Los Angeles is the backdrop. On Nov. 17, for instance, you can catch Dick Powell in the classic “Murder, My Sweet.”

Sunday, meanwhile, the Cinemax pay-TV channel offers a Michelle Pfeiffer triple-header: “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” “Tequila Sunrise” and “Dangerous Liaisons.”

On Nov. 7, cable’s TBS reruns the vivid 1984 ABC drama about incest, “Something About Amelia,” at 5:05 p.m., with Ted Danson and Glenn Close.

On Nov. 8, Greta Garbo fans can get a look at the late actress’s taste in art and furniture in a brief documentary on cable’s American Movie Classics channel at 6 and 10 p.m. The program is called “The Greta Garbo Collection,” and it almost seems a promo for the auction of her possessions a few days later--but it’s an irresistible peek nonetheless.

More immediately, Nick at Nite cable promises Bette Davis in a 1959 “Alfred Hitchcock” episode, “Out There, Darkness,” at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Yes, that’s right--4:30 a.m. So set the machine and hope for the best.

The point is, there’s plenty out there besides ABC, CBS and NBC. Fact: The combined audience for basic cable--the non-pay channels like ESPN, CNN and Lifetime--has increased about 30% in the last year.

NOW PITCHING: He’s said it before, but Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry used NBC’s “Sunday Night With Larry King” special to tell the world that he wants to play for the Dodgers. King, by the way, does a cameo on “Murphy Brown” on Nov. 19.

THE HAMBURGER NETWORK: NBC says it drew 25 million additional viewers during the month of its “McMillions” game, a cross-promotion with McDonald’s. Eight winners won a total of $27 million--which could buy a lot of burgers for the homeless instead of viewers for a TV network.

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND: “One of the things I’ve learned,” says a letter from a TV writer, “is that when you’re talking to agents, producers, execs, never (never!) say that ‘The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd’ is one of your favorite shows. Every ‘Molly’ reference drives spikes through the nervous system of this town.”

COLLECTIBLE: Ken Burns’ documentary epic “The Civil War” has brought PBS more than $1 million in video sales. If you didn’t tape it, PBS Video is selling the series for $350, and you can order it by calling (800) 424-7963.

MODERN TIMES: Natalie Cole’s syndicated music show on KCAL Channel 9, “Big Break,” is a vivid reminder of TV progress. From 1956-57, her dad, the great pop singer Nat (King) Cole, broke ground for blacks by starring in his own network variety series--but sponsors avoided the show. To its credit, NBC kept the series going for the year, reportedly at a loss.

DRAWING BOARD: Judd Hirsch’s series, “Dear John,” moves into the slot following Robert Stack’s “Unsolved Mysteries” starting Wednesday, and the back-to-back star power could make for more of a ratings punch for NBC.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Yes, that’s Alan Alda’s kid brother, Antony Alda, playing the daytime soap character Johnny Corelli on “Days of Our Lives.” Wonder how many people remember that their father, Robert Alda, had two of the best roles an actor could ask for--he played the original Sky Masterson in Broadway’s “Guys and Dolls” and George Gershwin in the film “Rhapsody in Blue.”

STRAIGHT TALK: The Emmy Awards show is “now worthless,” says NBC Entertainment boss Brandon Tartikoff, noting the small audiences it’s drawing on Fox--just 14% of TV viewers this year. The Emmys got a 36% audience share when last on NBC, he says, adding: “You know what it’s getting now. The awards have been tremendously damaged.”

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HERO: There’ll be regular, network prime-time programming on election night next Tuesday, but the Big Three are all turning the 10-11 p.m. slot over to wrap-ups of who won what with the voters.

BOOKSHELF: Last week’s death of CBS titan William S. Paley certainly adds to the immediate historical interest of Sally Bedell Smith’s new book about the broadcast pioneer, “In All His Glory.” CBS will present an hour remembrance about its founder at 8 p.m. Wednesday, “William S. Paley: Tribute to a Broadcasting Giant.”

BEING THERE: “If I were breakable, I wouldn’t be here now”--Judy Garland, 1963. From Coyne Steven Sanders’ new book, “Rainbow’s End,” about Garland’s brilliant but doomed CBS series.

Say good night, Gracie. . . .