Commentary : FAILING MARKS ON THIS TV REPORT CARD

Every fall, I approach the new television year with a sense of hope.

“Maybe this time,” I think, “it’ll be different. Things will change for the better.”

But by the time I arrive at the end of the season, I am discouraged.

Because as embarrassing an admission as this may be, I’m the kind of person who actually wants to get excited about television, even believes in its importance.

And yet, with each passing season I find a greater gap between what I want to watch and what I see too often. See if you don’t feel the way I do when it comes to:

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

What I want to watch: Series such as PBS’ “Mister Rogers,” “Sesame Street,” “Reading Rainbow,” “Lambchop’s Play-Along” or the Disney Channel’s “Avonlea,” Nickelodeon’s “Clarissa Explains It All,” Shelley Duvall’s “Faerie Tale Theatre.”

What I see too often: Cynical, calculated crud: “Beetlejuice,” “Toxic Crusaders,” “Super Mario World,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Slimer! And the Ghostbusters” and kids’ game shows such as Nickelodeon’s “Double Dare.”

Commercials

What I want to watch: Obviously, as few as possible. If I have to see them, make it educational, entertaining, fun, creative.

What I see too often: Far too many. And commercials that insult men or women.

Daytime

What I want to watch: Talk shows with intelligent, provocative or entertaining discussions.

What I see too often: “Geraldo” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Donahue,” “The Maury Povich Show” and, of course, “Sally Jessy Raphael” exploring in detail the hearts and minds of as many confused, deviant or exploitable segments of society as possible.

PRIME TIME

What I want to watch: Programs with the mold-shattering, joyful style of CBS’ “Northern Exposure.” Dramas as well-executed as NBC’s “I’ll Fly Away” and “Law & Order.” Adventure series as exciting as the syndicated “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Dramas, such as Fox’s “Beverly Hills, 90210,” that parents and older kids can watch together. Sitcoms, such as CBS’ “Brooklyn Bridge,” ABC’s “Roseanne,” “Home Improvement” and “The Wonder Years,” where parents, not kids, are in control at least part of the time. (OK, Fox’s “The Simpsons” is a notable exception.) Sitcoms that are topical (CBS’ “Murphy Brown”), unique (NBC’s “Eerie, Indiana”) or just plain funny (NBC’s “Seinfeld”).

What I see too often: Dramas, when I can find them, that are dull (CBS’ “The Human Factor”) and dumb (NBC’s “Mann & Machine”). Reality shows that make life look like one big human train wreck. Sitcoms so dumb (“Who’s the Boss?”), so offensive (Fox’s “Married ... With Children) or so dominated by laugh tracks as to be unwatchable.

THE NEWS

What I want to watch: News. From the world. From my back yard. News shows that help me make sense of it all.

What I see too often: Non-news or faux news and “Entertainment Tonight” news agendas on shows other than “Entertainment Tonight.” Worst of all, tabloid news programs a la “A Current Affair” and “Hard Copy.”

Oh well, maybe next season.