Abc’s ‘Spin City’ Sure To Be Tops
If I had to pick the one new show that is hit-bound this season, it is ABC’s “Spin City,” premiering at 9:30.
Michael J. Fox (“Family Ties”) plays New York City Deputy Mayor Michael Flaherty, a clever guy in a high-pressure job who is always just shy of getting caught with his pants down - in more ways than one.
An exceptional supporting cast includes Barry Bostwick as his lamebrained boss. Alan Ruck, whom you’ll recognize from several network comedies, plays an inept press secretary.
Connie Britton is a sex-obsessed mayoral aide. And there’s Carla Gugino (“Falcon Crest”) as a TV reporter who covers City Hall by day and shares a bed with Flaherty by night.
In the premiere, Flaherty tries to smooth over his boss’s insensitive remark about the city’s gay pride parade while settling living arrangements with his reporter-girlfriend.
The workplace setting opens doors to a variety of political and social themes. That and the kooky office personalities remind you a little of “Murphy Brown.”
Given Fox’s popularity and the show’s sweet spot in the lineup between “Home Improvement” and “NYPD Blue,” this show can’t fail.
Highlights
“Roseanne,” ABC at 8: What will become of Dan? The series begins to lay out the way it will deal with Roseanne and Dan’s separation in a season premiere in which Roseanne daydreams of how their differences would have been resolved on old sitcoms such as “I Dream of Jeannie,” “That Girl” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Edward Asner guest-stars.
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: The series debuts in its regular time slot with Michael Gross guest-starring as a disgruntled basketball coach who wants to leave America. The Greene family sets out to give him a reason not to give up hope.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: A delightful season opener brings joyful news to Paul and Jamie (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt). But funniest is the dinner party that Paul’s sister (Robin Bartlett) throws to introduce her family to her lesbian partner (Suzie Plakson).
“Life’s Work,” ABC at 8:30: Comedian Lisa Ann Walter takes aim at sitcom fame in this unavailable-for-review season premiere. She plays a wife and mother who has fulfilled a life’s dream of graduating law school and going to work as an assistant district attorney.
Can she balance a career and family and still crack one-liners?
“Something So Right,” NBC at 8:30: Mel Harris (“thirtysomething”) and Jere Burns (“Dear John”) play newlyweds, each with kids. Burns is a nice guy for a change, and it works.
It’s fun but not wildly funny. The running jokes about the teenage son who lusts for his knockout stepsister are of questionable taste.
And let’s just say that when it comes to comedy, Harris isn’t exactly a natural.
“Steven Martini’s ‘Undue Influence”’ (1996), CBS at 9: In the two-part movie’s conclusion, Madriani (Brian Denehey) and Colby (Jean Smart) search for a key witness. A gripping performance by Patricia Richardson (“Home Improvement”) is the best reason to tune in this otherwise average thriller.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim (Tim Allen) boards a Navy aircraft carrier for a special “Tool Time,” but his biggest challenge waits on shore after Jill (Patricia Richardson) catches Brad in a compromising position with his girlfriend.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: A zany, laugh-filled season opener is a high-style farce. Don’t miss it. Daphne’s former fiance arrives from England still carrying a torch for her.
Cable Calls
“Back From Madness: The Struggle for Sanity,” HBO at 10: You’ll be entranced by this intimate and touching “America Undercover” documentary that follows the experiences of four psychiatric patients at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital.
Best of all, there’s no network news “star” providing narration or on-camera heroics.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor James Spader, Molly Ringwald (“Townies”) and musical group The Wallflowers.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”), activist Jesse Jackson and singer Travis Tritt.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Comedian Jon Stewart, actress Natasha Henstridge and musical guest The Cure.