On CBS, 'Chicago' is out, Bette is in

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On CBS, 'Chicago' is out, Bette is in

Thursday, May 18, 2000

By JOHN LEVESQUE
POST-INTELLIGENCER TV CRITIC

It was CBS's turn Wednesday to unveil a new prime-time lineup for next fall, and the network whose viewers tend to be older than any other's offered up a little in the way of new and different. More like tried and true.

CBS will debut seven series in the fall -- four dramas and three comedies, including one starring Bette Midler. Its most innovative show of last season, "Now and Again," got the ax, along with the long-running medical drama "Chicago Hope" and the comedy "Cosby" (which was done with Bill Cosby's blessing).

Mindful of concerns about the casting of minority actors, CBS renewed "City of Angels," the Steven Bochco-produced medical drama featuring a predominantly black cast, even though its ratings (averaging No. 81 for the season) were weaker than those for "Chicago Hope" (No. 68).

"City of Angels" may be helped by its move to 9 p.m. Thursday (from 8 p.m. Wednesday). Three other long-running series also will air in new time periods: "48 Hours" at 8 p.m. Thursday; "Diagnosis Murder" at 10 p.m. Thursday, and "Walker: Texas Ranger" at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Here is a summary of CBS's new fall shows.

The Bette Show. Midler plays a diva with a college-prof husband (Kevin Dunn), a 13-year-old daughter (Lindsay Lohan) and a best friend (Joanna Gleason).

C.S.I. Marg Helgenberger ("China Beach") and William Peterson ("To Live and Die in L.A.") do the "Quincy" thing, playing forensic investigators in L.A.

The District. Craig T. Nelson ("Coach") plays Jack Mannion, a noted crime fighter who is named police commissioner of Washington, D.C., and sets up a corps of modern-day "Untouchables" bent on keeping the criminal element at bay. Also starring Jayne Brook, Lynne Thigpen, Roger Aaron Brown and Justin Theroux.

The Fugitive. Tim Daly and Mykelti Williamson revive the 1960s action series, with Daly as Dr. Richard Kimble and Williamson as his relentless pursuer, Lt. Gerard.

That's Life. Heather Paige Kent, plays "a thirtyish New Jersey girl" who dumps the guy she's engaged to and decides to go back to college. Also starring Debi Mazar, Kristin Bauer, Kevin Dillon and Ellen Burstyn.

Welcome to New York. A TV weatherman (Jim Gaffigan) moves from Indiana to the Big Apple, and it turns out predicting storms is the least of his concerns. Christine Baranski ("Cybill") plays his supportive boss.

Yes, Dear. Two young couples have vastly different views of parenting. Starring Jean Louisa Kelly, Anthony Clark, Liza Snyder and Mike O'Malley.

Here is CBS's fall prime-time schedule, with new shows in bold, red type:

Sunday