A Return to Field’s Television Past

“Synergy” is an especially overused word in the entertainment industry, and sometimes networks stretch it in unusual ways, trying to make one plus one add up to three.

So it is that the cable channel ABC Family will promote Sally Field’s new ABC series “The Court” by running a six-hour marathon Sunday that consists of episodes from the actress’ earlier series “Gidget” and “The Flying Nun.”

Of course, once Field became a movie star, she spent a good deal of time trying to create distance from those earlier TV roles. In fact, Field’s famous 1985 Oscar acceptance speech for “Places in the Heart”--the one in which she enthused, “I can’t deny the fact you like me!”--was prefaced by saying that she “wanted more than anything to have your respect.”

“The Court,” which casts Field as a new Supreme Court justice, is a far cry from those comedies. The drama will premiere March 26 and is one of three new series ABC is introducing next week, determined to capitalize on the promotional platform provided by Sunday’s telecast of the Academy Awards.

Field’s role as Sister Bertrille lasted from 1967 to 1970, while “Gidget” ran for a single year, ending in 1966.

Compiled by Times staff writers