‘Seventh Avenue’ Explores Fashion Trade

How well off is NBC? One measure is “On Seventh Avenue” at 9, an enticing TV-movie that takes you inside the world of New York City’s glamorous fashion industry.

This series pilot looks better than CBS’ glitzy “CPW” and outshines any number of other prime-time dramas NBC’s rivals have tried over the past few seasons.

But NBC is so strong that this is apparently the last we’ll see of “On Seventh Avenue.” With no place to put it, NBC never gave the drama the green light to produce subsequent episodes.

Wendy Makkena stars as Nadine Jacobs, a young designer out to save her father’s out-of-touch apparel manufacturing company from going bankrupt. Stephen Collins is the businessman who accepts partial ownership in lieu of foreclosure.

The company also has problems with a mob loan shark, a dilemma that’s resolved by giving up another share of the business to the mobster’s son (Damian Chapa) who wants to get into a legitimate line of work.

I liked the characters - especially Makkena’s Nadine - and the show’s stylish atmosphere. Be warned, however, that after a big buildup, the two-hour-long telecast ends with virtually everything up in the air. You’ll be disappointed, if not down right angry.

Highlights

“Ned and Stacey,” FOX at 8: Farrah Forke (“Wings”) guest stars as a publisher Stacey (Debra Messing) asks for help. She agrees - only because she’s interested in Ned (Thomas Haden Church). Repeat.

“Dave’s World,” CBS at 8:30: John Larroquette (“The John Larroquette Show”) plays an estate lawyer Dave (Harry Anderson) visits to update his will. The former “Night Court” stars have a good time with the morbidly funny material.

“MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday” (1995), ABC at 9: You have to be about 14 to take Richard Dean Anderson seriously as resourceful, if not fearless, MacGyver. This time he’s out to thwart a madman who is trying to sell nuclear weapons to parties insane enough to use them. The plot may not be so farfetched, but the characters make it seem so.

“L.A. Firefighters,” FOX at 9: The firefighters bury Phil Regan, who died in last week’s series premiere. Jack (Jarrod Emick) copes with the guilt he feels for ordering his boyhood friend to his death. And he gives a cold shoulder to Phil’s reckless replacement (John Bradley).

Also, tension mounts between the fire department and police over the arson investigation, and Erin (Christine Elise) and her father (Brian Smiar) continue to fight.