Roll of the Dice: 36 to Show

So much hype, so little hope.

Only six of 36 new network series survived the fall of 1997 and yet here we are again, with another 36 designed to hook millions of viewers from now until spring, when the arduous, wildly expensive and increasingly insane selection process begins all over again.

The fresh crop of hopefuls yields series about single fathers, family unity, ‘70s flashbacks and flights to suburbia. One other, Fox’s macabre “Hollyweird,” has been pulled for retooling but may never see the light of the small screen.

ABC sets out to strengthen its pull with adults 18 to 49, the age bracket most sought by advertisers. CBS yearns to build on last season’s overall growth without alienating its aging audience. NBC hopes to retain prime-time supremacy in a post-”Seinfeld” era. Fox, ever the maverick, strives to confound critics, whether it’s with wild police videos or record-setting tumors worthy of a nod from Guinness. Meanwhile, the WB strategy is to attract more teens with ballyhooed dramas as UPN shuns urban shows for more mainstream material.

Surprisingly, the Madison Avenue mavens are not expecting any of the newcomers to be a big hit, but Christina Applegate’s sitcom “Jesse” could come closest by virtue of its spot on NBC’s revamped Thursday roster. Others must work harder to reach the hallowed Top 20.

Will any of these rookies match the robust appeal of “Ally McBeal” or the midseason sensation “Dawson’s Creek”? As always, the toughest critics of all--the viewers--will have the last word.

Here, then, is a night-by-night overview to all that’s new on the six major commercial networks.

SUNDAY

“Holding the Baby”

7:30 p.m. Fox

Comedy

Already premiered

Uptight papa Gordon (Jon Patrick Walker) is left holding the baby--and attending diaper bags--when his wife abruptly leaves him and moves to Tibet. She’s destined for inner peace, while Gordy is doomed to late feedings and long, vacuous conversations with his jobless, womanizing brother (Eddie McClintock). Lucky for them that grad student Kelly (Jennifer Westfeldt) is willing to pitch in as nanny.

The outlook: This is one infant unlikely to grow up before our eyes, what with stiff competition from two established family shows (“The Wonderful World of Disney” and first-season repeats of “7th Heaven”) plus perennial leader “60 Minutes.” In short, “Baby” is bound to take a licking and not keep on ticking.

****

“That ‘70s Show”

8:30 p.m. Fox

Comedy

Already premiered

The year: 1976. The place: Wisconsin. The protagonists: a handful of scheming 17-year-olds who live for beer and Todd Rundgren concerts. Eric (Topher Grace) and his three best friends (Laura Prepon, Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher) deal with bad perms, bell-bottoms and leisure suits.

The outlook: Regardless of how dazed or confused these kids may be, they can feel all right about their cushy slot between “The Simpsons” and “The X-Files.” Fox has high hopes for its retro sitcom, whose debut cracked the Top 10 last month.

****

“The Army Show”

9:30 p.m. WB

Comedy

Already premiered

MTV alum John Sencio is in the Army now as a shiftless hacker who selected four years in the service over a stint in prison. The misfits and morons at loosely run Fort Bendix range from a scamming master sergeant (David Anthony Higgins) to a pratfalling corporal. A sampling of the deadly dialogue--Higgins: “Where’d all that hair come from?” Sencio: “From deep inside my head.”

The outlook: With network movies and “The X-Files” as intelligent alternatives, viewers will desert this man’s “Army,” a knockoff of every military comedy ever made, but with a louder laugh track and much less wit.

MONDAY

“Guys Like Us”

8 p.m. UPN

Comedy

Premieres Oct. 5

The guys are Jared (Bumper Robinson) and Sean (Chris Hardwick of MTV’s “Singled Out”), twentysomething roommates who reluctantly accept a new boarder: the former’s hip 6-year-old bro (Maestro Harrell). Jared struggles with his role as temporary parent (their father is building a dam in Venezuela), but party-hardy guitarist Sean soon discovers the kid can be a chick magnet.

The outlook: As the lead-off for UPN’s revamped Monday night slate, the obvious question is whether “Guys” will be a magnet for viewers. Given the competition of “Monday Night Football,” “Cosby,” “Melrose Place” and “7th Heaven,” the answer would seem to be, like, no.

****

“The King of Queens”

8:30 p.m. CBS

Comedy

Premieres Monday

Doug (Kevin James) is a husky delivery guy blessed with a thoughtful wife named Carrie (Leah Remini). He also has football-fan buddies who could use toilet-training and an eccentric father-in-law (Jerry Stiller of “Seinfeld”) who once shingled the roof with no pants. Carrie and her squirrelly sister (Lisa Rieffel) prefer to put their father in a retirement home, but guess where he ends up after burning his house down?

The outlook: One of seven new comedies on Monday, this Joe Sixpack entry has the disadvantage of going up against ABC’s “Monday Night Football.” That’s a formidable challenge for the “King” and his court. Either the network should line up some additional jesters as potential backups or be willing to sacrifice solid ratings until the NFL season is over.

****

“Conrad Bloom”

8:30 p.m. NBC

Comedy

Premieres Monday

Talented and self-assured, Conrad (Mark Feuerstein) is a single ad copywriter with what a date calls “an awful lot of women” in his life. At the moment, none of them is Ms. Right, but he’s working on that. Actually, it’s the other femmes who are cramping his style: best friend Molly (Lauren Graham); breast-feeding associate Shelley (Jessica Stone); socially conscious sister Nina (Ever Carradine); no-frills boss Faye (Paula Newsome) and, last but not least, his guilt-tripping mother Florie (Linda Lavin). Meanwhile, Conrad, who excels at solving their problems, goes to bat for George (Steve Landesberg of “Barney Miller”), a legendary Clio winner in the ‘70s who’s a burnout in the ‘90s.

The outlook: Brisk and breezy, “Bloom” belongs on Thursday, where it would be a perfect fit between “Friends” and “Frasier.” As the schedule stands, it must crown “The King of Queens” and put “Melrose” in its place, which may not happen with “Suddenly Susan” as a soft lead-in.

****

“DiResta”

8:30 p.m. UPN

Comedy

Premieres Oct. 5

Comedian John DiResta’s life as a Pop Tart-loving, New York City transit cop and devoted family man is the basis for this look at his personal and professional travails. Leila Kenzle (“Mad About You”) plays his patient wife.

The outlook: Consider the diresta of the underwhelming UPN lineup and tell us what you think.

****

“The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer”

9 p.m. UPN

Comedy

Premieres Oct. 5

The title character (Chi McBride) is an African American butler and sometime advisor to President Abraham Lincoln (Dann Florek). The snide chief of staff (John Fleck) resents Desmond’s presence, while lonely Mrs. Lincoln (Christine Estabrook) resents her husband’s indifference. The pratfalls in this period piece are provided by the bumbling Nibblet (Max Baker).

The outlook: Last season, the horrid “Head Over Heels” tanked in this time slot. This season, the same fate will befall “Desmond,” a flat, revolting farce that ought to remain a secret.

****

“Hyperion Bay”

9 p.m. WB

Drama

Premieres Monday

Prodigal son Dennis (Mark-Paul Gosselaar of “Saved by the Bell”) selects his sleepy California hometown as the improbable site for a high-tech facility whose success will save it from extinction. Sibling rivalry intervenes when Dennis butts heads with big brother Nick (Dylan Neal), a former high school stud who’s fallen on hard times since graduation. For one thing, he had to stay at the bay with his tough-to-please father. For another, his marriage is on the rocks. With their fortunes racing in different directions, we’re left wondering whether the brothers can resolve their differences and rescue the town in the bargain.

The outlook: Lead-in “7th Heaven” was considered a long shot when it premiered in 1996, and the same can be said for this show. With lower expectations than new series on the bigger networks, “Hyperion” will be given time to grow and find an audience. The eventual size and demographic of that audience makes for a “Bay” watch.

****

“The Brian Benben Show”

9:30 p.m. CBS

Comedy

Premieres Monday

The former “Dream On” star segues from cable to commercial TV as an L.A. news anchor who loses his job to a younger pretty boy--and ex-veejay--named Chad Rockwell (Charles Esten), then gets rehired as a human interest reporter. Benben declares war on his back-stabbing rival with help from two buddies: Kevin, a jocular sportscaster (Wendell Pierce), and Billy, a gay weatherman (Luis Antonio Ramos).

The outlook: “Ally McBeal” is the show to beat at this hour and it’s doubtful that “Benben” can do it with the vastly unappreciated “Everybody Loves Raymond” as an unproven anchor at 9 p.m.

****

“Will & Grace”

9:30 p.m. NBC

Comedy

Premieres Monday

Will (Eric McCormack) is a witty, sensitive and handsome lawyer. He also happens to be gay. His roommate Grace (Debra Messing) is a pretty, self-employed interior designer. By pilot’s end, she leaves her fiance at the altar after Will tells her she can do better. Sure, she’s furious, but their friendship is unassailable. It’s the romance that’s impossible. All they can do is grapple with life’s occasional heartaches, leaning on each other every step of the way.

The outlook: The assessment for Benben’s comedy also applies here, though “Will” has an edge with the stronger lead-in from “Caroline in the City.”

****

“L.A. Doctors”

10 p.m. CBS

Drama

Premieres Monday

Three physicians leave a thriving practice to open a private medical corporation treating the “soul and the sickness.” Roger (Ken Olin) is the cocky, Jaguar-wheeling bachelor and rainmaker; Tim (Matt Craven) is the concerned family man with two adopted daughters; Evan (Rick Roberts) is the ethical and caring good Samaritan; . The new partner is Sarah (Sheryl Lee), an idealistic workaholic who, though happily married, may be attracted to Evan.

The outlook: Operating on a night geared toward guys, “Doctors” sets up nicely against “Dateline NBC,” but will be thrown for a big loss whenever “Monday Night Football” has a strong matchup. Nevertheless, it should post stronger numbers than “Brooklyn South,” which opened well and faded quickly. The youthful amiability of Roberts, a potential breakout star with charm and good looks (expect the obvious comparison to Noah Wyle in some circles) is a major asset.

TUESDAY

“The Hughleys”

8:30 p.m. ABC

Comedy

Premieres Tuesday

Bombastic Darryl Hughley (D.L. Hughley) loves his new suburban home. Ditto for his wife (Elise Neal) and two children. If only his elderly neighbor wasn’t ordering him to “fetch” her trash. Darryl, you see, is an African American who has moved on up to a spiffy middle-class neighborhood, a signal to one friend (John Henton) that he’s “on the slippery slope to losing your blackness.”

The outlook: One of two new sitcoms sporting the same premise (the other is Fox’s “Living in Captivity”), this series should inherit the lead-in of “Home Improvement.” The big boy in this neighborhood, however, is “JAG,” which could leave everyone else in the dust.

****

“Encore! Encore!”

8:30 p.m. NBC

Comedy

Premieres Tuesday

Tony Award winner Nathan Lane plays Joseph Pinoni, a pompous, overbearing opera star who comes home to a family-owned Napa Valley winery after losing his golden voice. He’s reacquainted with his loving mother (Joan Plowright), jealous sister (Glenne Headly) and naive nephew (Trevor Fehrman).

The outlook: In terms of character and premise, this pilot bears more than a passing resemblance to “Frasier.” But before anyone screams plagiarism, you should know the new sitcom comes from the producers of Kelsey Grammer’s Emmy winner. Whether “Encore” can succeed hinges on viewers warming to Lane’s theatrical performance style. If they don’t, there will be no curtain call.

****

“Costello”

8:30 p.m. Fox

Comedy

Already premiered

In-our-face comedian Sue Costello plays a tough bartender at a South Boston watering hole where everyone knows her name. The rowdy, blue-collar clientele also knows she just dumped her boyfriend, favors a “word of the day” (capacious is a favorite) and serves up more wisecracks than suds. On the home front, Sue contends with a stubborn father (Dan Lauria), a neurotic mother (Jenny O’Hara) and a protective brother (Chuck Walczak).

The outlook: The crass dialogue flows as freely as shooters, which could turn off anyone opening their evening with the sly, satirical “King of the Hill.” And teens are likely to opt for the second half of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which would result in a stake in the heart for “Costello.”

****

“Brimstone”

9 p.m. Fox

Drama

Premieres Oct. 27

Peter Horton of “thirtysomething” stars as a fallen NYPD homicide cop emerging from Hell with a directive to capture the 113 callous creatures who slipped out of Satan’s grasp, spreading chaos on Earth with their supernatural powers. (In the pilot, the monster of the week is a pedophilic priest!) Detective Ezekiel Stone (Horton) lost his soul 15 years ago after killing the man who raped his wife.

The outlook: Dark, edgy and reminiscent of the comic book “Spawn,” this hour possesses a distinctive, shadowy look and atmosphere that should set it apart from every other show. “Just Shoot Me” will dominate, but it’s conceivable the fiery “Brimstone” could slowly snare the souls of “Spin City” and others from 9 to 10 p.m.

****

“Mercy Point”

9 p.m. UPN

Sci-Fi/Drama

Premieres Oct. 6

Think of a futuristic “ER,” add a menagerie of slimy “Star Wars”-esque aliens and you have the formula for this unconventional knockoff, um, hybrid. Joe Morton and Brian McNamara are the most familiar faces of the ensemble. The outlandish creatures, we assure you, have not surfaced elsewhere to date.

The outlook: Have mercy on the creators of this curiously derivative project, who evidently saw promise in a show interweaving medical crises, ooze and ahs, as in “Ah, I can’t believe they made this!”

****

“Felicity”

9 p.m. WB

Drama

Premieres Sept. 29

An intelligent, impulsive senior (Keri Russell) bound for Stanford gives up everything after falling for a handsome fellow student (Scott Speedman) who signed her yearbook on graduation day. The 11th-hour decision angers her parents and throws her life for a loop, particularly because it prompts a move to the University of New York. For introspective Felicity, it’s either a “colossal mistake” or a bold declaration of independence.

The outlook: Widely acknowledged as the elite pilot of the season, this smart, articulate and carefully crafted hour faces an uphill battle in that it has less promo-worthy elements than the web’s other teen-oriented drama, “Dawson’s Creek.” Heaven forbid that the WB pressures “Felicity” producers to alter their vision of the series, but should it fail to click quickly, the cast could be careening down the creek without a paddle.

****

“Sports Night”

9:30 p.m. ABC

Comedy

Premieres Tuesday

A typically frantic night behind the scenes of a nightly cable program finds the producer and her associates going online to determine whether Helsinki is actually located in Finland--just before air time, mind you. But last-minute glitches never faze popular co-anchors--and best of buddies--Casey McCall (Peter Krause) and Dan Rydell (Josh Charles). Casey is getting a divorce and becoming a cynic about athletics; Dan can be supportive, if sarcastic. As a team, they supply all the scores and breezy banter, while a no-nonsense producer (Felicity Huffman) keeps the suits off their respective backs. Now if only they don’t get fouled up by other geographical queries.

The outlook: Arguably the season’s most promising new comedy, this one deserves a big push from the network. Unfortunately, it will need more than positive word of mouth if “Spin City” fails to deliver a sizable audience. Men should like the premise and camaraderie, but “Sports” also must score with women to rate a renewal, and that’s no slam dunk.

WEDNESDAY

“7 Days”

8 p.m. UPN

Drama

Premieres Oct. 7

The president and vice president are assassinated by cunning Russian operatives. Washington bureaucrats are baffled. Where can they turn? For the powers that be, the savior is a top-secret device capable of sending Frank Parker (Jonathan LaPaglia) back in time a full week. Parker, however, can be a handful. He’s a testy fellow who has a problem with authority, and he’s spent the last two years in a CIA sanitarium. Is the government crazy to recruit him? Only time will tell....

The outlook: The clock is ticking for LaPaglia, especially since last year’s “Timecop” was such a bust, albeit it on a Monday night. If “7 Days” can’t make time against the likes of “Dateline NBC,” “Dharma & Greg” and “Dawson’s Creek,” “The Sentinel” waits in the wings as a midseason backup.

****

“Maggie Winters”

8:30 p.m. CBS

Comedy

Premieres Sept. 30

Faith Ford moves up the casting ladder from “Murphy Brown” ensemble player to star of her own sitcom. She plays the title role as a spurned wife returning to a hometown where she was voted most likely to succeed. Temporarily moving in with her mother (Shirley Knight), unemployed Maggie dreams of being a fashion designer. First, she must work on the tattered fabric of friendships with old classmates who are still stuck in high school, emotionally if not physically. That includes a former sweetheart who was voted most likely to have sex.

The outlook: Ford wants to prove she can carry a show after 10 seasons in the company of Emmy winner Candice Bergen. Sans sharp writing, “Winters” could get a cool reception from males drawn to “Dateline NBC” or “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza.” Teens will split their allegiance between “Dawson” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” leaving only women who started their evening with “The Nanny” at 8 p.m.

****

“To Have & to Hold”

9 p.m. CBS

Drama

Premieres Sept. 30

Moira Kelly and Jason Beghe are Annie and Sean, a Boston public defender and police detective in love with their work and each other. Working on opposite sides of the law, their cases often turn the lovebirds into friendly adversaries. As Sean’s father says: “There’s nothing so wonderful as being with a woman you wanna strangle one minute and ravish the next.”

The outlook: Anything but ravishing. How can the network expect a perfectly respectable series with two relatively unfamiliar faces to anchor a lineup against “The Drew Carey Show,” “Party of Five” and “3rd Rock From the Sun”? Here’s an unsolicited suggestion: Swap “Hold” with “48 Hours” Thursday at 10 and build off the older but larger viewership of “Diagnosis Murder.” Besides, Dan Rather’s newsmag can’t do any worse on Wednesday than it would against “ER.”

****

“Charmed”

9 p.m. WB

Drama

Premieres Oct. 7

Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Alyssa Milano are the sexy sisters in this less-than-spirited series from Aaron Spelling. Known as the “charmed ones,” this trio of good witches can freeze time, foresee the future and move objects at will. And each week, they will battle a different incarnation of evil, be it rampaging warlocks or psychotics wreaking havoc on the streets of San Francisco.

The outlook: Doherty and Spelling were good for each other on “90210,” but all the witchcraft in the world won’t enable them to weave a similar spell over valued viewers watching the angst-fest we know and love as “Party of Five.”

****

“The Secret Lives of Men”

9:30 p.m. ABC

Comedy

Premieres Sept. 30

Michael (Peter Gallagher), Phil (Brad Whitford) and Andy (Mitch Rouse) have supported one another through the best and worst of times. Each is divorced, and thus their weekly golf game gives them an opportunity to bond and bemoan the absence of women in their lonely lives. Michael is self-absorbed, Phil is a cynic and Andy is the doofus. Nevertheless, creator Susan Harris (“Golden Girls,” “Soap”) wants us to hit the greens with these guys rather than putter around with the other networks.

The outlook: Hole in one or stuck in a sand trap? In the early rounds, these duffers should do well with help from “The Drew Carey Show.” But if the sparse level of humor doesn’t improve mightily from the pilot, we may be looking at a premature trip to the clubhouse. After all, no one can advance with a handicap of mediocrity.

THURSDAY

“Vengeance Unlimited”

8 p.m. ABC

Drama

Premieres Sept. 29 at 10 p.m.

Moves to its regular slot Oct. 1

A combination of “The Equalizer,” “Mission: Impossible” and the more obscure “Stingray,” this crime caper revolves around Mr. Chapel (Michael Madsen), a vigilante who exacts revenge for his wronged clients. In return, said client agrees to repay a favor at a moment’s notice with no questions asked. Somber and unflappable, the gravel-voiced hero routinely breaks the law to even the score for the masses. Hence the name of his unique service.

The outlook: After suffering years of humiliation on Thursdays, ABC has some vengeance of its own in mind. Unfortunately, it will be tough to get it opposite the healthy “Friends” and “Promised Land.” Moreover, there’s no reason to think viewers have tired of the violent crashes and squealing tires on “World’s Wildest Police Videos.” Perhaps Mr. Chapel should light a candle.

****

“Jesse”

8:30 p.m. NBC

Comedy

Premieres Thursday

Christina Applegate isn’t a bimbette, but she played one for too many years on “Married ... With Children.” Here, she’s the shiny star of her own comedy as a single mother in Buffalo who dreams of enrolling at nursing school. The prominent men in Jesse’s life include her bigoted father (George Dzundza); a cute 10-year-old son (Eric Lloyd); a brother who stopped talking a year ago and another bro who failed as an entrepreneur (the Garden Gnomes did him in). Dating seems out of the question until Jesse meets her handsome Chilean neighbor (Bruno Campos), who may have trouble fitting in with this wacky brood. Or as he says, “It was nice meeting most of you.”

The outlook: Any show following “Friends” is a friend of NBC. That said, we should note that the lackluster “Union Square” folded early last season, partly because of minimal promotion from the Peacock. It figures to be different for “Jesse,” which is produced by the same team behind “Friends.” So, you see, it helps to have friends in high places.

FRIDAY

“Two of a Kind”

8 p.m. ABC

Comedy

Premieres Friday

Moppets no more, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are cast as Siamese twins running the mob. Hah, got ya! Now that we have your attention, here’s the real scoop. The Olsen girls are lookalikes who could not be less alike in terms of what they like. Ashley favors boys and makeup (in sixth grade, no less) and Mary-Kate is the terse tomboy with a tricky curveball. Dad (Christopher Sieber) is a widower and college professor who reluctantly hires a 29-year-old freshman (Sally Wheeler) as part-time nanny and full-time pain in the neck.

The outlook: Unbeatable in “Full House,” the twins hope to deck “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” the midseason hit on CBS. If viewers are kind to these “Two,” ABC’s “TGIF” lineup could reclaim its Nielsen crown of years past.

****

“Living in Captivity”

8 p.m. Fox

Comedy

Already premiered

Remember our scintillating synopsis of “The Hughleys”? Change the setting, cast and network and you have virtually the same show about upwardly mobile African Americans (Dondre T. Whitfield and Kira Arne) as the new residents of a planned community in suburbia. Closet bigotry and political correctness are the rage in Woodland Heights, whose defensive neighbors range from a liberal novelist (Matthew Letscher) and his lawyer-wife (Melinda McGraw) to an Italian racist (Lenny Venito) known as King of the Mufflers.

The outlook: Living large may be difficult for “Captivity” because most adults probably will turn to “Dateline NBC,” a reliable veteran that has delivered good numbers. A bland cast devoid of big names and an out-of-touch premise are other drawbacks for this entry from “Murphy Brown” creator Diane English.

****

“Legacy”

8 p.m. UPN

Drama

Premieres Oct. 9

Set in post-Civil War Kentucky, this period piece centers on the Logans, a close-knit, prosperous and highly traditional Irish family of horse breeders. In the premiere, patriarch Ned Logan (Brett Cullen), a widowed father of four, picks up a troublesome orphan (Ron Melendez) with a penchant for pickpocketing and con games. That puts him at odds with Ned’s honorable sons (Grayson McCouch and Jeremy Garrett), the older of whom is secretly in love with his father’s black assistant. Other storylines will focus on Ned’s daughters (Lea Moreno and Sarah Rayne) and his rivalry with the richest man in the county.

The outlook: A cross between “Bonanza” and “Legends of the Fall,” this family fare figures to draw flies as the opening act for UPN’s fifth night of programming. Moreover, it’s an incompatible lead-in for “The Love Boat,” which hopes to remain afloat in its first full season. In short, this show is unlikely to leave much of a legacy.

****

“Buddy Faro”

9 p.m. CBS

Drama

Premieres Friday

Who’s Buddy Faro? He’s a suave, swingin’ private eye, a man described by his ex-lawyer as the richest, luckiest guy in his “scum-sucking business.” He’s also been missing from the Hollywood scene since 1978. Enter Bob Jones (Frank Whaley), an intrepid, present-day gumshoe hired to find Faro (Dennis Farina). The less said about the stylish pilot, the more entertaining it can be. What we can report is that the resourceful Jones finally locates his idol, generating amusing humor along the way.

The outlook: Fresh and fun as the opener from “Twin Peaks” producer Mark Frost may be, the key question is, where does the show go from here? Does it turn into a conventional P.I. adventure or do we get more quirky characters and clever plotting? If Frost’s writers can sustain the polish of his premiere, he could have a winner on his hands.

****

“Trinity”

9 p.m. NBC

Drama

Premieres Oct. 16

Peacock promos already have pigeon-holed the pivotal characters in this hour about an Irish working-class family from Hell’s Kitchen. It introduces the “guardian,” a rookie detective (Justin Louis) on the NYPD; the “achiever” (Charlotte Ross), a fetching Wall Street bond trader involved in an affair with her married boss; the “saint” (Tate Donovan), a priest with human frailties; the “sinner,” a labor leader (Sam Trammell) working for a union crook; and “the lost soul” (Bonnie Root), a pregnant, drug-addicted sister. The least-developed characters in the pilot are the parents, played by Jill Clayburgh and John Spencer.

The outlook: Originally booked at 8 p.m., this series from “ER” producer John Wells should fare better at 9, where it will face the lighthearted “Buddy Faro” and the ever-glum “Millennium.” Given its post position on Friday, the feeling is that a larger number of viewers will become buddies with “Faro” thanks to its offbeat humor.

****

“Brother’s Keeper”

9:30 p.m. ABC

Comedy

Premieres Friday

High jinks ensue when dull, drab teacher Porter (William Ragsdale) becomes the responsible party for his irresponsible, pro football-playing bro Bobby (Sean O’Bryan). Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but Porter is the single dad for an impressionable 8-year-old son (Justin Cooper). Meanwhile, Bobby has a sports agent named Dena (Bess Meyer) who must also keep him in check. Dena is an attorney with an MBA who gripes that “My job sucks.”

The outlook: We’d guess the entire cast has similar feelings about its “TGIF” slot, which proved to be a loser last season for the canceled “Teen Angel.” Quality (or lack thereof) aside, “Brother’s” is no keeper.

SATURDAY

“Wind on Water”

8 p.m. NBC

Drama

Premieres Oct. 17

Yet another family drama, this one takes place in blue Hawaii, a paradise where, as we hear in voice-over, one can snowboard, surf and ride horses--all before lunch. It’s also the third-generation home of Ciel Connolly (Bo Derek, in her first series), a stubborn widow struggling to run a cattle ranch with world-class surfing sons Cole (William Gregory Lee) and Kelly (Brian Gross). Lee Horsley (“Matt Houston”) is the greedy, no-good developer eager to seize their land and turn it into a sprawling resort, a plan his rebellious daughter (Jacinda Barrett) will have no part of since she’s tight with Cole.

The outlook: This series of pretty pictures takes on the slapshtick of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and fanciful fantasy of “Early Edition.” The venerable “Cops” figures to retain its audience as well. Consequently, all the wind in the world won’t lift this hour from the lower levels of the Nielsen chart.

****

“Fantasy Island”

9 p.m. ABC

Drama

Premieres Saturday

It’s not your parents’ “Fantasy.” Darker and more dryly humorous than its long-running predecessor, this imaginative remake poses more questions than answers. For starters, who is the mysterious Mr. Roarke (Malcolm McDowell of “A Clockwork Orange”) and why does he have a hold over his bickering concierge (Edward Hibbert) and bellhop (Louis Lombardi)? Then there’s Ariel (Madchen Amick), an alluring assistant with a curious back-story of her own. While you won’t find any sign of Tattoo, one crucial element from the original remains the same, namely the fantasies of Roarke’s assorted guests.

The outlook: Name the last two bona fide hits ABC had on a Saturday night. Why, of course, they were “The Love Boat” (1977-86) and “Fantasy Island” (1978-84). Short of turning back the clock, the new version seems doomed to face a rocky reality. While “Island” deserves to float, don’t be forlorn if ABC suddenly sets it adrift.

****

“Martial Law”

9 p.m. CBS

Drama

Premieres Saturday

Meet Sammo Hung, the most captivating star of the season. He flashes the fancy footwork of Bruce Lee, carries the charisma of Jackie Chan and boasts a body like a Mack truck. His English may be fractured, but his moves are marvelous. And his slick stunts are pulled off without help from a double. In this action show from Carlton Cuse (“Nash Bridges”), the modest martial arts expert plays a Shanghai cop knocking the spit out of baddies in L.A., where he seeks a Chinese protegee (Kelly Hu) who’s joined the Asian underworld. Louis Mandylor and Tammy Lauren try their best to hang with Sammo.

The outlook: Paired with “Walker, Texas Ranger,” this compatible duo comes off as Must Kick TV. Guys of all ages will spread the word about Hong Kong superstar Hung’s artful acrobatics, giving him the edge with hard-to-reach males and making this the Saturday show to watch. When Sammo lays down the “Law,” screens will rumble and opponents will tumble.

****

“Cupid”

10 p.m. ABC

Drama

Premieres Saturday

Is he or isn’t he? Jeremy Piven plays Trevor Hale, a sardonic young man claiming to be the Roman god of love kicked off Mount Olympus. His earthbound assignment: unite 100 couples sans magic, bow and arrow. Alas, psychiatrist and relationship expert Claire Allen (Paula Marshall) thinks Trevor belongs in Bellevue, where he ends up in her care. Matchmaking, Trevor discovers, can be hard work. And working with Claire as doctor and patient is hardly a match made in heaven.

The outlook: Singles staying home on a Saturday night comprise the likely audience for this hour from executive producer Scott Winant (“thirtysomething”). Whether that audience is large enough to sustain a long run is another matter. At least one thing is certain. There will be no love lost between “Cupid” and his prime-time rivals “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Profiler.” Clearly, someone’s heart is gonna be broken.

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CONTENTS

Another fall, another wave of first-run television programming. Dozens of new series, scores of new movies and documentaries, new actors in old series, old series in new time slots, Seinfeld gone, Roseanne back--it can get very confusing.

Not to fear. We’re here to help. This issue of TV Times is your guide to the 1998-99 season, which officially begins Monday. Although a few shows have jumped the gun already, most of the fall fare will be arriving during the next three weeks--not only on the major broadcast networks but also on cable (CNN takes a 24-hour look at the Cold War, beginning Sept. 27) and on PBS (its 6 1/2-hour documentary about a Nebraska farm family begins Monday).

Use this issue to find out what’s on the horizon that is of interest to you. For additional TV coverage, please see Sunday Calendar for an article about ABC sitcom star Drew Carey.

Network series................1

Prime-time lineup.............2

Casting Call..................8

Cable........................10

Returning series.............12

PBS..........................13

Spotlights...................14-17

Movies.......................18

Syndication..................20

Specials.....................22

This week’s kids shows.......23

This week’s highlights.......25