Preview ’94 : HOME ALONE

While some networks are exploring parent-child relations, others are exploring sibling relations in the absence of parents.

With remarkably similar premises but distinctly different approaches, a new comedy and a new drama explore the perils of orphans surviving parent-less in a sometimes hostile world.

Both ABC’s “On Our Own” and Fox’s “Party of Five” feature large families of children who have lost their parents to fatal accidents. Both families have bulldogs. And in both shows, a social service agency is watching over the seemingly autonomous kids with a wary eye.

In the half-hour comedy “On Our Own,” Mrs. Doubtfire comes to television. Ralph Harris stars as older brother Josh Jerrico and six real-life brothers and sisters, the Smolletts, co-star as his younger siblings. When a children’s service agency threatens to break up the family because they don’t have an appropriate guardian, a distant aunt miraculously appears. Not surprisingly, Aunt Jelcinda, also known as “Mama J.,” bears a striking resemblance to oldest brother Josh.

In “Party of Five,” a family of children tragically orphaned is given serious treatment. While 24-year-old Charlie (Matthew Fox) is the supposed legal guardian, it is 16-year-old Bailey (Scott Wolf), dressed as no one but himself, who takes responsibility and pulls the family together.

“One thing this series allows us to do is to try and realistically portray issues that these kids would face and problems that they need to solve and have them solve them in some way that mirrors reality,” says Amy Lippman, who created and executive produces “Party of Five,” along with Chris Keyser. “They go to each other or to friends or actually don’t solve them the right way for awhile. We are not interested in resolving every episode with someone making the right choice.”

“Party of Five” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Fox; “On Our Own” premieres Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on ABC and moves to Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18.