The test will be how a threatened strike will affect network offerings

Monday, January 15, 2001

By JOHN LEVESQUE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER TELEVISION CRITIC

The argument goes that if you stick a video camera in the midst of a group of people stranded on an island or in the back seat of a '55 Chevy, the scene is no more real than a World Wrestling Federation melee. The very presence of the camera alters forever the natural dynamic that might have existed in the absence of camera people and sound people and emcees who are there to remind us what it all means when the tribe has spoken.

	Joan Cusack and Kyle Chandler get cozy on ABC's new romantic comedy series "The Joan Cusack Show." Bob D'Amico

Similarly, in the absence of writers and actors, a TV season is no more real than the 30th of February, even though network programmers will insist the emperor's new clothes are spiffier than ever as they all embark on schedules featuring non-scripted "reality" shows and more newsmagazines than you could ever imagine.

One is advised, therefore, not to get too attached to any new dramas or comedies introduced to the prime-time schedule in these next few months. If writers and actors go on strike in May and June as threatened, even the most popular of the new midterm entries could be on hiatus longer than your average struggling actor.

The same holds true for established series, which also will have to suspend production as long as members of the Writers Guild of America or the Screen Actors Guild are on the picket lines. But new midseason shows are at greater risk because they usually get only six or seven chances to make a splash before they're canceled or invited back for a full run in the fall. New midseason replacements have to hope for a little luck and a lot of word-of-mouth if they're to chisel out some space in the public consciousness.

That said, here are the midterm, prime-time offerings from the networks. If any of them passes this test, it'll be a miracle. And don't be surprised if some are held in abeyance until fall, just in case.

"Undeclared" is Fox's comedy that follows an eclectic group of six college freshmen who share the same dorm floor. Fox Broadcasting

Me and Frankie Z. Jason Bateman and Danny Nucci in a half-hour comedy about a gay guy and a straight guy living together in Greenwich Village. Premiere TBA, CBS (KIRO/7).

Kate Brasher. Mary Stuart Masterson is masterly as a struggling single mom who becomes a social worker. Also starring Rhea Perlman and Hector Elizondo in legal-advocate roles that seem contrived. Premiere TBA, CBS (KIRO/7).

Survivor: The Australian Outback. The average age of this group is 33 (compared with 35 for the original "Survivor" gang) and they already seem ready for their Hollywood close-ups. Among the beautiful people is Nick Brown, a 23-year-old Harvard Law student from Steilacoom. Thursdays at 8, starting Feb. 1, CBS (KIRO/7); premieres Jan. 28 after the Super Bowl.

Big Apple. David Milch, the man responsible for all that indecipherable cop talk on "NYPD Blue," leaves the Steven Bochco fold to run his own cop show about indecipherable dealings among the NYPD, the FBI and organized crime. Cast includes Ed O'Neill, David Strathairn, Titus Welliver and Michael Madsen, but we have to take Milch's word that "this show is so good it's scary." Premiere TBA, CBS (KIRO/7).

Undeclared. Judd Apatow, co-creator of the acclaimed but short-lived "Freaks and Geeks" last season, tries again with a half-hour comedy about a kid who grows 7 inches over the summer before his first year of college, going from nerdy to semi-studly in the process. Newcomer Steven Karp stars with Charlie Hunnam, Timm Sharp, Seth Rogen, Carla Gallo, Monica Keena and Loudon Wainwright III. Premiere TBA, Fox (KCPQ/13).

	The hospital drama "All Souls" combines scary paranormal incidents with medical emergencies. David Bjerke

Grounded for Life. Dedicated to all parents who ever wondered how they got into this fix, this comedy features Donal Logue and Megyn Price as a couple who became parents when they were still kids. Now they're in their early 30s and there are three children in the house. Five, if you count the parents. Wednesdays at 8:30, Fox (KCPQ/13); premiered Jan. 10.

Temptation Island. Fox appeals to our basest instincts with this combo platter of "Survivor" and "Blind Date," in which four unmarried couples have their fidelity tested by a couple dozen hardbodies. Slimy in the extreme.Wednesdays at 9, Fox (KCPQ/13); premiered Jan. 9.

The Lone Gunmen. Spinoff of "The X-Files" will be a one-hour comedy, not a drama. Bruce Harwood, Tom Braidwood and Dean Haglund are joined by the more camera-friendly Zuleikha Robinson and Stephen Snedden in their quest to find a conspiracy under every rock. Sundays at 9 (temporarily), Fox (KCPQ/13); premieres March 4.

The Tick. Patrick Warburton gives life to the comic-book character "superhero" in a very droll comedy. Premiere TBA, Fox (KCPQ/13).

The Oblongs. Half-hour animated comedy about a family of mutants living blissfully and humorously downstream from a toxic-waste site. Could be a great satire. Premiere TBA, The WB (KTWB/22).

Popstars. Thousands of young women vie for spots in a made-for-TV female pop group. Debut was a yawner, but this could get interesting as the winnowing process ensues. Fridays at 8:30, The WB (KTWB/22); premiered Jan. 12.

The Mole. Players work as a team to tackle a series of tests, knowing only one can win the jackpot -- up to $1 million -- and that one of them is a saboteur bent on thwarting their progress. More complicated than it needs to be. Tuesdays at 8, ABC (KOMO/4); premiered Jan. 9.

The Job. Denis Leary is riveting in this unusual half-hour show about a pill-popping, womanizing, chain-smoking New York cop who loves his job. Big question is whether ABC knows how to promote it. Wednesdays at 9:30, ABC (KOMO/4); premieres March 14.

The Beast. Pretentious as all get-out, this drama about a 24-hour cable-and-Internet news organization is fascinating for its premise: Reporters not only cover the news, but are themselves covered as part of the story. Frank Langella stars with Jason Gedrick and Elizabeth Mitchell. Mondays at 10 this spring, ABC (KOMO/4); premiere TBA.

Joan Cusack Project. Cusack is hilarious and Kyle Chandler shows his wry side in this half-hour comedy. Still needs work, but Cusack is worth watching regardless. Tuesdays (time TBA), ABC (KOMO/4); premieres March 27.

My Wife and Kids. Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin in a traditional family sitcom that will rise or fall on Wayans' considerable talents. Tuesdays at 8 or 8:30, ABC (KOMO/4); premieres March 13.

Kristin. Half-hour comedy about a small-town girl pursuing her dream to Broadway. Parallels the real life of star Kristin Chenoweth. With Jon Tenney, Christopher Durang, Larry Romano, Dale Godboldo and Ana Ortiz. Looks weak. NBC (KING/5); premiere TBA.

XFL Football. Pro football meets World Wrestling Federation. Saturdays at 5 Pacific time, NBC (KING/5); premieres Feb. 3.

Three Sisters. Vicky Lewis, A.J. Langer and Katherine LaNasa in a so-so comedy about three adult sisters plus the guy who's married to one of them (David Alan Basche) plus their parents (Peter Bonerz and Dyan Cannon). Tuesdays at 9:30, NBC (KING/5); premiered Jan. 9.

First Years. One-hour series about first-year associates in a law firm. Starring Samantha Mathis, Mackenzie Astin, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, James Roday and Ken Marino. Premiere TBA, NBC (KING/5).

Gary & Mike. Half-hour comedy about two slackers driving across the U.S.A. isn't great, but it isn't bad, either. Cool animation from Will Vinton Studios helps. Fridays at 8, UPN (KSTW/11); premiered Jan. 12.

Special Unit 2. One-hour drama wants to be ironic and funny, but it tends to fall short in the execution. Michael Landes and Alexondra Lee play Chicago detectives charged with protecting the city from a paranormal species that's part human, part creepy-crawler. Premiere date TBA, UPN (KSTW/11).

All Souls. Another hospital drama. But what a hospital! While modern medicine works miracles in the sleek, glass complex towering over Boston, there's something spooky going on in the bowels of the hospital's original building. Starring Grayson McCouch and Serena Scott Thomas. Premiere date TBA, UPN (KSTW/11).

Doc. Billy Ray Cyrus plays a country doctor from Montana who moves to New York City for the love of a woman. Sundays at 8, Pax TV (KWPX/33); premieres March 11.

John Levesque is the P-I's television critic.