Preview ’92 : Syndicated Hype : There’s Whoopi, Cosby and don’t forget the return of Kung fu fighting

Only a few of last year’s syndicated shows--those made to air on local stations--survived for a second season. This year syndicators have pulled out all the stops and delivered two big names: Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby.

The fall schedule also features dramas, Hollywood history series, reality-based shows and informational series.

Here are highlights of what’s coming to Southland stations, including premiere dates in parentheses:

KCBS

“Ed McMahon’s Star Search”--The long-running talent series expands to five nights a week and moves from Los Angeles to Orlando, Fla. The series will feature a new toll-free number allowing viewers to vote for contestants, weeknights at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. (Monday). (Also Saturdays at 7 p.m. on San Diego’s KGTV).

“You Bet Your Life”--Bill Cosby goes the Groucho Marx route in this updated version of Marx’s old game show from the ‘50s in which contestants try to say the secret word, weeknights at 7:30 p.m. (already premiered). (Also weekdays at 4 p.m. on San Diego’s KFMB.)

“Hollywood Babylon”--Tony Curtis hosts this inside look into Hollywood history, early Sundays at 12:30 a.m. (Sept. 19). (Also Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on KGTV starting Oct. 3.)

“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”--Robin Leach’s long-running series movies from KABC to KCBS, Saturdays at 7 p.m. (already premiered).

KNBC

“Prime Suspect”--Mike Hegedus hosts an investigative crime series examining unsolved murder cases across the country. A team of reporters will reopen these “closed” cases for further examination, Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. (already premiered). (Also Sundays at 2:30 p.m. on San Diego’s XETV).

“WKRP in Cincinnati”--The syndicated version of the popular comedy series moves from KCAL to KNBC for its second season, Saturdays at 7 p.m. (already premiered).

“Only in Hollywood”--Peter Jones of American Movie Classics is the host of this series featuring the people, events and beliefs of Hollywood, early Mondays at 1 a.m. (Monday).

KTLA

“Renegade”--Lorenzo Lamas of “Falcon Crest” fame stars as a tough young street cop who becomes a modern-day bounty hunter fighting for justice while alluding the law, Saturdays at 8 p.m. (Saturday). (Also Saturdays at 5 p.m. on XETV).

“Highlander”--Adrian Paul stars in this action series based on the popular films about a group of powerful “Immortals” who live unnoticed among everyday citizens. Christopher Lambert, the star of both films, appears in the premiere episode, Sundays at 11:30 p.m. (Sept. 27). (Also Sundays at 5 p.m. on San Diego’s KUSI starting Oct. 4).

“The Apollo Comedy Hour”--Weekly comedy show featuring “cutting-edge” comedy, early Mondays at 1 a.m. (Sept. 28). (Also early Sundays at 12:30 a.m. on KUSI).

KABC

“Jeopardy”--The Emmy-winning game show enters it ninth season on a new channel in Los Angeles, weeknights at 7 p.m. It will not air Mondays during football season.

“Wheel of Fortune”--Pat Sajak and Vanna White celebrate their 10th year together starting this week with a new set, graphics, music and a new station, weeknights at 7:30 p.m. It also will not air Mondays during football season.

“Why Didn’t I Think of That?”--Wil Shriner hosts a new series that invites inventors to demonstrate their often outrageous creations each week, Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (Saturday). (Also airs Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on KUSI starting Sept. 20).

KCAL

“The Whoopi Goldberg Show”--The Oscar-winning actress/comic will go one-on-one with a different guest each night on her new talk show. The first week’s guests: Elizabeth Taylor, Ted Danson, white supremacist Tom Metzger, Elton John and Robin Williams, weeknights and Sunday at 11 p.m. (Monday). (Also airs weeknights at 11 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. on KUSI Monday). (See interview, Page 6) .

“Uptown Comedy Club”--Monterio Ray hosts this weekly series from Harlem featuring stand-up comedy, sketches and musical acts, Saturdays at midnight (premiere date to be announced). (Also early Sundays at 1:30 a.m. on KUSI starting Sept. 27).

KCOP

“Catwalk’--A dramatic series, a la “The Commitments,” chronicles the “tumultuous” lives of six young musicians seeking their fame and fortune, Saturdays at 7 p.m. (premieres Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. and then moves Oct. 10 to its regular time slot). (Also premieres Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. and moves Oct. 10 to its regular time slot, Saturdays at 4 p.m., on KUSI).

“The Untouchables”--Eliot Ness and his band of elite G-Men are out to get the mobsters in this new version of the classic ‘60s series, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (January, 1993).

“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”--Spinoff of “Star Trek,” Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (January, 1993).

“Time Trax”--Sci-fi adventure series, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (January, 1993).

“Kung Fu: The Legend Continues”--David Carradine is back in this series based on his ‘70s series “Kung Fu.” Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (January, 1993).