Preview ’91 : Now Entering the Post-’Peaks’ Era : Networks’ new shows, with a few exceptions, rely on safe formulas and popular faces

Remember last year at this time, TV fans? The airwaves crackled with daring and promise. “Twin Peaks,” the buzz of last summer, must have had network chiefs thinking viewers were ready for something new. So we got a medical reality show, “Lifestories” on NBC; a prime-time documentary series, “American Chronicles” on Fox, and that hour on ABC with a bunch of singing police officers ... what was that show called again?

You get our drift. Those shows are long gone. Of last autumn’s record 34 new series, a mere nine are back this September (and one returnee, last year’s “Gabriel’s Fire,” comes back essentially as an all-new show). Of the survivors, only “America’s Funniest People,” in reality a spinoff of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” landed in the Top 10 last season. So this year, feeling squeezed by the recession and ever-eroding viewership, the networks seem to be choosing safety. Viewers will see wistful nostalgia (in at least three shows), sitcoms that duplicate successful formulas of the past, lots of familiar stars, and a small roster of producers and behind-the-scenes types controlling multiple series. But, for those who lauded the daring of “Cop Rock,” the networks offer a few unique-sounding shows.

Below is a complete list of the new series offerings from ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, plus what conventional wisdom says about their chances for success. How will it all turn out? Tune in next year: Same time, same channel.

“THE ADVENTURES OF MARK & BRIAN”

Sundays 7-7:30 p.m., NBC. Previews Monday and Thursday, moves into its regular time slot Sept. 15.

KLOS deejays Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps hit the big(ger) time with a video version of their popular weekday morning show, taped like a reality show/documentary. The first show to air follows the duo as they mug their way through the rigamarole necessary to land a gig with the Temptations: storming Capitol records to schmooze the Temps’ manager, meeting with a choreographer to learn the moves (did Phelps get extracurricular coaching from his rumored main squeeze Paula Abdul?), etc. etc., until that big moment onstage.

Future installments will follow the guys as they go bungee-jumping from a hot-air balloon, become the first people to do a television broadcast from zero gravity, and even assist in natural childbirth.

Conventional wisdom: Locals love Mark and Brian, but maybe they get enough of the duo during drive time. And the show’s L.A. parochialism might not appeal to a national audience.

“EERIE, INDIANA”

Sundays 7:30-8 p.m., NBC. Premieres Sept. 15.

Marshall (Omri Katz), the 13-year-old hero of this offbeat sitcom, believes that his hyper-normal new hometown is “the center of weirdness for the entire planet.” To prove his theory, he enlists the help of his only friend (Justin Shenkarow), and the two maintain an “evidence closet” Marshall hopes to someday turn over to either the President--or to his dad.

Conventional wisdom: A cross between “Blue Velvet,” “Edward Scissorhands” and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” this show has a tongue-in-cheek silliness that could appeal to kids and parents alike. Too bad it’s in the Time Slot of Death (opposite venerable “60 Minutes”).

“MAN OF THE PEOPLE”

Sundays, 8-8:30 p.m. NBC. Premieres Sept. 15.

James Garner, who honed his comedic talents in the light dramas “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files,” gets what NBC is describing as his first official comedy series. Garner plays Jim Doyle, who sounds as if he could be related to Maverick and Rockford: A good ol’ boy who likes the racetrack and the occasional scam.

The twist is that Doyle is named to fill a seat on the City Council, vacated by his late ex-wife. He soon finds that a little scamming ability comes in handy when it’s time to deal with politicians. The show, by the way, will be filmed without a laugh track--as were the “dramedies” of seasons past.

Conventional wisdom: Garner, whom one journalist described as “reliable as an old Ford,” is a favorite of critics and the masses alike. If Garner’s fans will tune in to this otherwise shaky time slot (vs. “Murder, She Wrote”), we might put our money on this one.

“PACIFIC STATION”

Sundays, 8:30-9 p.m. NBC. Premieres Sept. 15.

“Benson” meets “Barney Miller”: Gruff-but-lovable Robert Guillaume (who recently starred as “The Phantom of the Opera”) works in a wacky Venice Beach police precinct with his flaky-but-lovable new partner (Richard Libertini) and his inept-but-lovable boss (Joel Murray), along with assorted other characters, lovable and otherwise. Created by the team behind NBC’s popular “The Golden Girls,” and with a pilot directed by “Taxi’s” James Burrows, the show will no doubt aim for fireworks between its two leads.

Conventional wisdom: Early reports indicate that critics seem to like this show, which could go either way. If it fails to live up to its potential, it could quickly become the phantom of the airwaves.

“ROC”

Sundays 8:30-9 p.m., Fox. Already airing.

Tony-nominated Broadway actor (“The Piano Lesson”) Charles Dutton, who took to the stage after spending nine years in prison for manslaughter and other crimes, is already being talked up as the hot new star of the year. Working with Stan Daniels (“Taxi”), Dutton helped create the role of a hard-working garbage collector (with whom he shares his nickname, Roc) trying to achieve the American Dream. The goal, says Dutton, was to “do a show that represented a genuine working-class black family.” Dutton’s co-stars include Carl Gordon and Rocky Carroll, fellow actors from “The Piano Lesson.”

Conventional wisdom: Comfortably sandwiched between “In Living Color” and “Married ... With Children,” “Roc” seems poised for reasonable success. But some critics think the show is too tame for Fox’s audience.

“HERMAN’S HEAD”

Sundays, 9:30-10 p.m., Fox. Premieres tonight.

One of the season’s myriad of shows produced by the creators of “Soap” and “The Golden Girls,” “Herman” aims to portray the inner and outer lives of its main character (William Ragsdale), a harried aspiring editor of a national magazine. Inhabiting Herman’s head are his alter egos, Angel, Wimp, Genius and Animal (if Freud were alive today, certainly he would set his VCR for this one). The four characters somehow manage to get Herman through life in the outside world--populated by a boss, a best friend and other characters. Fox calls it “two comedies in one.”

Conventional wisdom: An interesting premise and a winning creative team--not to mention a lead in from “Married ... With Children”-- are “Herman’s” strong points. The show’s weirdness stands out in a fairly traditional season; will that prove an asset or a liability?

“I’LL FLY AWAY”

Tuesdays 8-9 p.m., NBC. Two-hour premiere Oct. 7. Moves to its regular time slot Oct. 8.

Part of NBC’s “quality dramas” campaign comes with this series from Joshua Brand and John Falsey, who gave us “St. Elsewhere” and the critics’ current darling, “Northern Exposure.” But unlike those two quirky dramas, “I’ll Fly Away” plays it straight with a serious look at the birth of the civil rights movement in the 1950s South. Oscar nominee Sam Waterston (“The Killing Fields”) stars as a white attorney with three children; Regina Taylor is their new black housekeeper.

Conventional wisdom: “I’ll Fly Away” has everything going for it: cast, topic and creative team. But if NBC is putting so much stock in its new dramas, why did the network relegate this one to the nearly impossible time slot opposite CBS’ entrenched “Rescue 911” and ABC’s “Full House”?

“HOME IMPROVEMENT”

Tuesdays 8:30-9 p.m., ABC. Premieres Sept. 17.

It’s no accident that stand-up comic Tim Allen’s first series has the same down-to-earth charm as “Roseanne.” Both shows boast the creative talents of David McFadzean and Matt Williams. The third executive producer, Carmen Finestra, has “The Cosby Show” and “Carol & Company” to her credit.

Allen, whose stand-up routine revolves around man’s fascination with power tools, plays the host of a cable TV home-improvement show who gets lessons in sensitivity from his practical wife (Patricia Richardson). A next-door neighbor espouses New Male philosophy, a la Sam Keen and Robert Bly, from behind the back fence.

Conventional wisdom: Those in the know are predicting this will be one--possibly the only--success of the new season. The question: Can Tim Allen’s charm work beyond the power tools jokes?

“HOMEFRONT”

Tuesdays 10-11 p.m. ABC. 90-minute special Sept. 24. Moves to its regular time slot Oct. 1.

“Thirtysomething” fans continue to hold their breath for a reunion episode of the canceled yuppie Angst -fest. Meanwhile, ABC hopes they’ll sample this kinder, gentler serial, set immediately after World War II (call it “fortiessomething”). Essentially a nighttime soap opera, “Homefront” features an attractive ensemble cast and a lush nostalgic feel--surely, ABC hopes it will be able to capture both older viewers and those prized 18-to-49ers.

Conventional wisdom: Despite its setting, “Homefront” still manages to have a contemporary feel ... but those who relied on “thirtysomething” as a cheap form of therapy may be disappointed.

“THE ROYAL FAMILY”

Wednesdays 8-8:30 p.m. CBS. Premieres Sept. 18.

The big name in front of this fairly routine sitcom is Redd Foxx, the loudmouthed comedian who was a smash in the 1970s hit “Sanford & Son” but who failed to achieve a fraction of that earlier success in the short-lived “The Redd Foxx Show” on ABC in 1986.

Which leads us to the big name behind “Royal Family”: Eddie Murphy, also somewhat absent from the entertainment scene as of late, but not forgotten. Murphy serves behind the scenes as the show’s executive producer.

“The Royal Family” revolves around Alexander Royal (Foxx) and his wife Victoria (Della Reese), whose 42 years of happily married life is about to be disrupted by their older daughter and her children, who move in after she leaves her husband.

Conventional wisdom: With competition from the ratings-strong “Unsolved Mysteries” on NBC, plus “Dinosaurs” on ABC, this show’s success will depend utterly on Redd Foxx’s chemistry with viewers.

“TEECH”

Wednesdays 8:30-9 p.m., CBS. Premieres Sept. 18.

From the creators of the critically (but not commercially) successful “Doctor, Doctor” comes a sitcom about a young, black music teacher (likable Phill Lewis) who gets laid off from his job at a South Philly school. Through a minority hiring program, he finds a new job at the stuffy, all-white Winthrop Academy, where he must impart his wisdom to the notoriously pampered students who make up the so-called “Gang of Four.”

Conventional wisdom: As a ratings winner, “Teech” is in the treacherous position of competing with “The Wonder Years” and the second half of “Unsolved Mysteries.” The question is whether viewers who stay tuned after “Royal Family” will find the 23-year-old Lewis too slick or a refreshing change from the abrasive Redd Foxx.

“SIBS”

Wednesdays 9:30-10 p.m., ABC. Previews Sept. 17. Moves into its regular time slot Sept. 25.

This sitcom was originally called “Grownups” for a reason--it’s geared toward the same sort of adult audience as “Anything But Love” (which follows it). Film actress Marsha Mason plays Nora, the oldest of the three sisters around whom the series revolves. Nora’s got it all--great apartment, fabulous husband, job success--in direct contrast to her two younger siblings (Margaret Colin and Jami Gertz), who are coping with divorce and major boyfriend problems, respectively.

James L. Brooks, who created “The Simpsons,” “Taxi,” and that paeon to working women everywhere, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” is one of the show’s executive producers.

Conventional wisdom: ABC bought “Sibs” without a pilot, a show of the network’s confidence in Brooks. But, viewers already have NBC’s “Sisters”--do they need this much sisterly bonding?

“GOOD AND EVIL”

Wednesday 10:30-11 p.m., ABC. Premieres Sept. 25.

Industry pundits are calling this sitcom about two sisters the “Soap” of the ‘90s. Its creator, Susan Harris, was on the team behind that show, plus “Golden Girls” and “Empty Nest.”

Here’s the premise: Teri Garr’s character personifies Evil; Margaret Whitton plays Good. Supporting characters include a daughter who hasn’t spoken since her father’s death, a mother who prefers Good to Evil--though she’s quite evil herself--and a husband who has just materialized after disappearing years ago from a climb up Mt. Everest. Confused? You won’t be after ... never mind.

Conventional wisdom: As the second half of the only sitcom block to begin past 10 p.m., “Good and Evil” has either the best or worst possible situation: It could be a welcome format change from CBS’ “48 Hours” or NBC’s “Quantum Leap.” Or it could give viewers the perfect excuse to go to bed early.

“DREXEL’S CLASS”

Thursdays 8:30-9 p.m., Fox. Premieres Sept. 19.

Dabney Coleman’s Otis Drexel is a grumpy, wisecracking convicted tax evader sentenced to teach school in lieu of jail. The principal hates him, the students are monsters and Drexel will probably spend much of the season wishing he had chosen the slammer.

Conventional wisdom: Fox has awarded “Drexel” the time slot immediately after its most popular show, “The Simpsons.” No matter what, the ratings for “Drexel” are sure to be an improvement over those for “Babes.” Coleman’s popularity (not necessarily to be confused with his character’s likability) might give it a push, too.

“FBI: THE UNTOLD STORIES”

Thursdays 9-9:30 p.m., ABC. Premieres Sept. 26.

“White-collar crime, espionage, sabotage, murder, political assassinations and kidnaping,” is how ABC describes the tantalizing fare of its new reality show. Told from the point of view of the FBI agents who worked on the cases, the show includes interviews and surveillance footage to illustrate real-life mysteries from the past 15 years. That reality-show staple, “re-enactions using the people involved if at all possible,” is also used. Pernell Roberts serves as the host and narrator.

Conventional wisdom: “FBI” is one of only three new “realities,” a notoriously inexpensive form of programming, this season (“Mark & Brian” and “The Ultimate Challenge” are the others). In light of the networks’ moves toward economy, this could be proof positive that the genre is saturated.

“PRINCESSES”

Fridays 8-8:30 p.m., CBS. Premieres Sept. 27.

Julie Hagerty (“Airplane!”), Fran Drescher (“This is Spinal Tap”) and former model Twiggy Lawson play a trio of single women, each with her own princess-like qualities. By a twist of fate, the three wind up sharing a penthouse apartment in New York City rent-free for a year (why, this is a fairy tale!), where they experience the joys and sorrows of singlehood.

Conventional wisdom: Viewers will either love or hate the peculiar mannerisms of the princesses--particularly squeaky-voiced Hagerty and mega-brassy Drescher. But if any segment of the TV population watches, it will be that valuable TV commodity--upscale female viewers.

“BROOKLYN BRIDGE”

Fridays 8:30-9 p.m., CBS. Previews Sept. 20; moves into its regular time slot Sept. 27.

The top brass at CBS was so confident in the hit-making talents of “Brooklyn Bridge” creator-executive producer Gary David Goldberg (“Family Ties”) that they snapped up his new sitcom without so much as a peek at a pilot. That’s why the on-air promos for the show don’t feature any representative clips--just a few warm words from Goldberg himself.

One of the season’s crop of nostalgic series, “Bridge” is set in 1956, “when neighborhood streets were safe, doctors made house calls, and the door was always open to friends and neighbors.”

Conventional wisdom: Lots of usually hard-to-excite producers, actors and industry insiders are looking forward to this show. But a good executive producer does not necessarily a hit make: Remember “Day By Day” and “American Dreamer”?

“STEP BY STEP”

Fridays 8:30-9 p.m. ABC. Premieres Sept. 20.

Here’s a story/ of Suzanne Somers/ who was bringing up three very lovely kids ... until she meets Patrick Duffy, and they wind up with an instant extended family. He and his three are disorganized and mellow, she and hers are neat and tidy--leading to lots of comic misadventures in what sounds like a ‘90s version of the Brady Bunch.

Conventional wisdom: Veritable sitcom gods Tom Miller and Bob Boyett, who last year commanded ABC’s successful Friday night line-up, created this most recent entry. They’re a pretty good gamble when it comes to ratings success and what one advertising agency called “lowest common denominator appeal.” But then again, Suzanne and Patrick will always be Chrissy and Bobby to us.

“THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW”

Fridays 9-10 p.m. CBS. Premieres Nov. 1.

Burnett, whose “Carol & Company” aired on NBC last year, reportedly wanted to expand her show from a half-hour to an hour. NBC didn’t bite, but CBS did, and Burnett gets her wish in the form of an hourlong comedy-variety show, featuring guest stars, musical performances and a stable of regular cast members.

Conventional wisdom: Burnett is a veteran, and her formula is tried and true. But will viewers find it too tried, and too true?

“FLESH ‘N BLOOD”

Fridays 9:30-10 p.m. NBC. Previews Sept. 19. Moves to its regular time slot Sept. 20.

Here’s the ol’ “Put two complete opposites in the same sitcom and see if they kill each other” formula. In this case, mix single, yup-and-coming district attorney Rachel (Lisa Darr) with bumpkin con man Arlo (David Keith), and make them long-lost brother and sister. Arlo moves into Rachel’s flat with his two kids, where they upset her life but ultimately become welcome.

Conventional wisdom: OK, so this one is by the producers of “Cheers.” But so far, the characters don’t have the appeal of Sam and the gang.

“THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE”

Fridays 9-10 p.m. Fox. Premieres Friday.

Billed as “one of television’s exciting new concepts,” this hourlong adventure-stunt series aims to provide viewers with an armchair seat to thrilling goings-on the world over. Hosts actress Heather Thomas and sports personality Mike Adamle introduce segments featuring Hollywood stuntmen, international adventurers and thrill seekers of every sort. Adamle, a former NFL running back, also will star in the “First Person Adventure” segment--wrangling wild Brahma bulls, performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, that sort of thing.

Conventional wisdom: Brought to us by the producers of the bizarre, syndicated “American Gladiators” (which Adamle also hosts), this show won’t be for everyone, but it may speak to people not satisfied by the tamer fare the other networks offer.

“REASONABLE DOUBTS”

Fridays 10-11 p.m. NBC. Previews Sept. 26. Moves to its regular time slot Sept. 27.

Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) makes her series debut in another of NBC’s “quality dramas,” which also stars Mark Harmon. Matlin plays hearing-impaired urban district attorney Tess Kaufman; Harmon is cast as her colleague, police investigator Richard “Dicky” Cobb.

Matlin, who is deaf in real life, has told the press she’s nervous about using her speaking voice on camera (she’ll communicate in both sign language and speech on the show). This will be her second speaking role; her first was in the 1989 CBS movie “A Bridge to Silence.”

Conventional wisdom: Matlin and Harmon’s popularity should be an asset to this show, which could pull in the ratings in a time slot that didn’t work last year for the equal-quality “Midnight Caller.”

“PALACE GUARD”

Fridays 10-11 p.m. CBS. Previews Oct. 21. Moves to its regular time slot Oct. 25.

How’s this for a premise: Smart-alecky hotel burglar (D.W. Moffett) finally gets caught and sent to the pokey. After doing his time, he’s recruited by the owner of the very hotel he’s made a career of ripping off--and gets offered a job as head of hotel security. As someone once said, “It takes a thief...” The extra twist: He’s partnered with the hotel’s dubious public-relations V.P., a gorgeous, former B-movie starlet, who happened to be a favorite of the boys back in the pen.

Conventional wisdom: Sure, it’s far-fetched, but if anyone can make this work, it’s producer Stephen J. Cannell (“The A-Team,” “Hunter,” “21 Jump Street”).

“THE TORKELSONS”

Saturdays 8:30-9 p.m. NBC. Premieres Sept. 21.

The network version of supply and demand dictates that in these recessionary times viewers want a sitcom their wallet can relate to. NBC responds with this tale of Oklahoma single mom Millicent Torkelson (Connie Ray), who makes her children’s clothes out of the living-room drapes and rents out a room in her big ol’ house to bring in more cash. In true sitcom fashion, “The Torkelsons” doesn’t come close to true poverty (the house alone would bring in half-a-million in Southern California).

Millicent is forever embarrassing her 14-year-old daughter (Olivia Burnette), who, in another time, would have been the perfect romantic soulmate for “Family Ties’ ” Alex Keaton. It’s a different twist from the usual comedy setup of practical, omniscient parents with silly, flighty children.

Conventional wisdom: As the economy improves, will viewers tire of ‘90s “reality” and long for the Reagan-era excesses of, say, “Dynasty?”

“NURSES”

Saturdays 9:30-10 p.m. NBC. Premieres Saturday.

One of the world’s largest advertising agencies has forecast this ensemble comedy as the season’s only other “clear (ratings) success” (besides ABC’s “Home Improvement”) among new shows. Part of that surely has to do with creators Witt-Thomas-Harris, responsible for the two established hit shows, “The Golden Girls” and “Empty Nest,” in NBC’s Saturday-night sitcom line-up. And part of it has to do with the lead-in from the ever-popular “Nest,” which came in ninth out of 141 prime-time series in the ratings last season.

The premise of “Nurses” is simple: Five nurses--four female, one male--endure hospital life through friendship and humor. Among those in the cast is comedian Jeff Altman.

Conventional wisdom: Vital signs look good; we’ll continue to monitor the show’s progress.

“P.S.I. LUV U”

Saturdays 10-11 p.m., CBS. Two-hour preview Sept. 15; moves into its regular time slot Sept. 21.

The P.S. stands for Palm Springs, setting up this light drama about a brash Manhattan con gal (quintessential TV actress Connie Selleca) who is relocated under the federal witness protection program after informing on the mob.

Greg Evigan (“B.J. and the Bear,” “My Two Dads”) plays a cop who helped in the mob bust and is reluctantly relocated as well. The two are given new “jobs” in a home security company and are soon doing some amateur sleuthing.

While high-profile P.S. might not be the ideal locale in which to take refuge from the Mafia, it certainly lends itself to plenty of guest appearances by mayor Sonny Bono (who shows up in the first episode, along with Steve Garvey).

Conventional wisdom: At the summer press tours, in which networks pull out all their new shows to be viewed by the media, journalists informally voted “P.S.I.” the worst new hourlong series. Then again, one thing critics have never been good at is predicting the loyalties of the viewing public.

“THE COMMISH”

Saturdays 10-11 p.m. ABC. 2-hour premiere Sept. 28. Moves into its regular time slot Oct. 5.

Stephen J. Cannell’s other new show this season is an affectionate portrait of regular-guy East Coast police chief Tony Scali. Played by Michael Chiklis, best known for his portrayal of John Belushi in the film “Wired,” Scali uses “brainpower, not firepower” to deal with those on both sides of the law. Filmed a little like a documentary, the pilot uses “interviews” with the characters, who describe Scali--nicknamed The Commish--and then cuts to scenes that illustrate the character’s personality. Theresa Saldana plays Rachel, Scali’s wife.

Conventional wisdom: Chiklis is a likable actor, and viewers tired of traditional cop shows might warm up to this combination of less action and more characterization. On the other hand, for the last few years, this has been a wicked time slot.

* Stay tuned to Monday Calendar as Times Television Critic Howard Rosneberg assesses the new season.