Series is ‘from the mind and mouth of Eddie Murphy,’ but he hasn’t helped tout his creation.

Eddie Murphy is one of the most well-known personalities in Hollywood, and it’s his idea and concept that is propelling “The PJs,” one of the more costly, unusual and potentially volatile series of the TV season.

Although Hollywood powerhouses such as Imagine Television honchos Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Tony Krantz and a new animation process known as “Foamation” are giving the comedy about an inner-city housing project a solid foundation, it is Murphy’s name that Fox is pushing to entice viewers to tune in to the “sneak preview” on Sunday.

But Murphy has been AWOL on “The PJs.”

Despite the network’s heavy ad blitz promising a series “from the mind and mouth of Eddie Murphy,” the actor--who provides the voice for the cantankerous lead character, building superintendent Thurgood Stubbs--has declined to promote the show.

In a move that has caused much behind-the-scenes frustration and hand-wringing, Murphy has stayed away from the talk-show circuit and other interviews concerning “The PJs.” Unlike other major film stars linked to high-profile TV projects, Murphy did not appear before national television writers last year when the show was first unveiled.

The reason for his unavailability, sources close to him say, is that Murphy has been too wrapped up with films and family to devote time to discussing the series--even though “The PJs” is based on characters from his old neighborhood. “Usually people don’t have the vast level of activity that Eddie has,” said Paul Bloch, Murphy’s spokesman. “Plus he has his personal life with his family, which is very important to him.”

Grazer, Imagine co-chairman who is also Murphy’s partner, said, “Eddie just does publicity when I say, ‘We really need to do something.’ ” He said the star would do heavy promotion, for example, on his upcoming film “Life,” with Martin Lawrence, because “that’s an epic buddy comedy, and nothing like this has ever been done.”

Nevertheless, Murphy’s distance is becoming increasingly problematic for Fox. A response from Murphy this week to a coalition of grass-roots organizations that launched a protest against “The PJs” might have helped lessen the opposition. Led by Najee Ali--an activist who also heads Project Islamic H.O.P.E.--the group criticized the actor-comedian for spearheading a comedy it contends is insulting to blacks and now plans a boycott of the show next week.

“It’s been rather frustrating, and we would have loved to have had him,” said one network insider, echoing a widely expressed sentiment. “We’re dealing with it the best that we can,” he added, referring to both Murphy’s absence and the protest. All Fox has from Murphy is a video press package, which includes some comments about the series from the actor.

“The PJs” marks the former “Saturday Night Live” star’s return to television after producing the short-lived comedy “The Royal Family” in 1991, starring Redd Foxx. Murphy also serves as an executive producer on “The PJs.”

Some linked with the show, which is being produced by Imagine Television, Touchstone Television and Will Vinton Studios, said that Murphy’s participation in promoting “The PJs” would have been valuable and generated increased awareness and understanding of the show, especially since the comedy, with its groundbreaking look and premise, represents a significant risk for Fox.

Attracting a large audience for “The PJs” has become increasingly important for the network, particularly since all but one of its freshman comedies this season have already been given the ax. To help build that audience, the network designed this Sunday’s “sneak preview” before placing the show in its regular Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. time slot behind its struggling animated colleague “King of the Hill.” The network is crossing its fingers that the pairing of the two comedies will overcome what has traditionally been a troubled hour for Fox.

In addition to being the first animated series with a cast of predominantly African American characters, “The PJs” is the first prime-time series to feature stop-motion animation, using the process of “Foamation,” created by “California Raisins” creator Will Vinton, who is also one of the executive producers. Foamation is a more realistic variation of the Claymation process pioneered by Vinton and has already received raves from critics. Each half-hour episode costs about $1 million.

The series, which has received a 13-episode commitment from Fox, is the first in an avalanche of new animated projects to hit prime time in the coming months, and Fox would like to establish the comedy before the rest of the shows premiere.

“The PJs” isn’t the first project to deal with Murphy’s absence. Aside from press junkets, the actor has stayed off talk shows and away from print interviews for his recent films, including last summer’s hits, “Dr. Dolittle” and “Mulan,” and last fall’s flop “Holy Man.”

In fact, Murphy has stayed out of the spotlight since a highly publicized May 1997 incident in which he was stopped by police in West Hollywood after he picked up a known transsexual prostitute. Murphy was detained briefly, but released after police said he was apparently not involved in criminal activity.

But publicity over that incident is not behind Murphy’s decision to keep a low profile, Bloch said. “It all has to do with time,” he added. And several of the show’s eight executive producers said they did not feel Murphy’s unavailability to promote “The PJs” would hurt the show.

Said Imagine Television founding partner and co-chairman Krantz: “Fox has done a brilliant job of promoting the show. They are doing more than anyone or any collective group could do. The issue with Eddie not promoting the show is not frustrating to us because it stars Eddie, and he brings a brand of humor that is very specific. No amount of promotion can affect that.”

Krantz added: “Eddie has a very busy film schedule. He’s doing three films with Imagine, plus working on this show. . . . His performance and his contribution is promotion enough.”

And animator Vinton said: “I always assumed that Eddie wouldn’t have much of a role as far as promoting it. He is more of a creative force behind the scenes.”