‘Roof’ Deserves A Place In Cbs’ Fall Lineup

It’s funny how some television shows that are embraced by the media go unnoticed or unwanted by the public.

There is a whole range of shows that critics dub first-rate but that die untimely deaths. The list of quality “dead bodies” runs the gamut from the comedy/drama “Frank’s Place,” all the way to this season’s “My So-Called Life,” which now is in limbo.

That brings us to “Under One Roof,” which has been ranked with “Frank’s Place” in quality. The new CBS family drama (8 p.m. Tuesdays), debuted last week to many positive comments by critics from all over the country. But the show wound up third in overnight Nielsen ratings, which surveys large cities only. Full Nielsen results will be out today.

“Roof” has all the ingredients for wonderful television, including a cast headed by James Earl Jones, Joe Morton and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Last week’s strong episode introduced us to the Langston family, three generations living in a large home in middle-class Seattle. Ron and Maggie (Morton and Bell Calloway) have a teen-age daughter and young, diabetic son. Ron’s widower father Neb (Jones) is raising a teen-age foster son, while Neb’s daughter has moved back home to help out.

In a year where quality dramas are experiencing a renaissance, “Roof” surely ranks up there with the best of them. It’s quiet, low-key and subtle, and it depicts everyday family life in an intelligent and thoughtful manner.

But “Roof” didn’t click with the public last week, and it would be a shame if it didn’t find its way onto the fall TV schedule. Let’s try to not let CBS put a hit on such a fine show. If you enjoy watching good drama, don’t quit on “Under One Roof.”