2 New Series Start During Reshuffle

With the February ratings sweeps over, the networks are starting to reshuffle their prime-time schedules. Two new series premiere this weekend and two other shows move to new time slots.

Robert Urich, late of “The Lazarus Man,” is the host of ABC’s reality-based series “Vital Signs,” airing tonight at 9 on Channel 7, opposite NBC’s top-rated comedy, “Seinfeld.” The one-hour show re-creates medical emergencies.

Emmy-nominated actress Kellie Martin, who starred in ABC’s “Life Goes On” and CBS’ “Christy,” headlines NBC’s new ensemble drama, “Crisis Center.” The drama occupies the “Homicide” slot, Fridays at 10 p.m. on Channel 4, for the next six weeks. Martin plays the idealistic psychology student who is an intern at a San Francisco assistance center. Matt Roth, Nia Peeples and Tina Lifford also star.

After a six-week hiatus, Brooke Shield’s NBC comedy, “Suddenly Susan,” returns to Thursday night. The sitcom is now seen an hour earlier at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 4, replacing “The Single Guy,” which is taking its own hiatus. Rosie O’Donnell guests.

ABC’s drama “Dangerous Minds,” starring Annie Potts as a dedicated high school teacher, transfers from Monday to Saturday at 8 p.m. on Channel 7.

Elsewhere this weekend:

Thursday

Arsenio Hall and Patti LaBelle host Fox’s “28th Annual NAACP Image Awards,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 11. The two-hour special honors positive portrayals of African Americans in movies, television, literature and music. Denzel Washington is the entertainer of the year while former football star and actor Jim Brown is the recipient of the Jackie Robinson Sports Award.

Friday

Leeza Gibbons is one of the hosts of NBC’s “The 13th Annual Soap Opera Awards,” airing at 8 p.m. on Channel 4.

Melissa Joan Hart and Will Friedle host the ABC special “Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Party,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. On hand to celebrate the silver anniversary of Orlando, Fla.’s theme park are Drew Carey, Donna Summer, Jeff Daniels, Rosie O’Donnell, Gloria Estefan and Michael J. Fox.

Paul Wagner’s documentary “Signature: George C. Wolfe,” at 10 p.m. on Channel 28, follows the playwright and Tony Award-winning director from rehearsal halls to hometown reunions. Also included are interviews with such veterans of Wolfe’s shows as Gregory Hines and Patrick Stewart.

HBO’s “George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy,” at 10 p.m., includes archival clips from “The Tonight Show” and “The Ed Sullivan Show,” a segment of new material and a Q&A; session led by Jon Stewart, which was taped at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo.

Saturday

PBS’ “An Evening With Harry Belafonte and Friends,” at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 28, marks the famed entertainer’s first TV special in two decades. Belafonte performs such hits as “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” and “Auntie Mary” in concert.

Perhaps Rodney Dangerfield will finally get some respect on his new HBO special, “Rodney Dangerfield’s 75th Birthday Toast,” at 10 p.m. Louie Anderson, Sandra Bernhard and Bob Saget are among those who help the comic celebrate his birthday.

Sunday

KCOP presents live coverage of “L.A. Marathon XII,” beginning at 8 a.m. on Channel 13. The telecast of the 26.2-mile race will be hosted by Channel 13 news anchor Tawny Little and sports anchor Barry Tompkins.

Bernard Shaw is the host of CNN’s new weekly newsmagazine, “Impact,” airing at 6 p.m.

John Ritter, John Glover and Frank Whaley star in Showtime’s “Dead Man’s Gun,” at 8 p.m. The western trilogy, set in 1875, focuses on how a gun changes the lives of all who possess it.

Cybill Shepherd stars in the CBS drama “Journey of the Heart,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. She plays a single mom whose autistic son (Chris Demetral) is a piano prodigy.

Patrick Bergin, Virginia Madsen and John Shea star in the four-hour ABC thriller “The Apocalypse Watch,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 7. Also Monday at 9 p.m.