‘Suddenly Susan’ Needs To Improve - Fast

If you watched the Summer Olympics on NBC, you know that the network has a new comedy this fall starring Brooke Shields. There was a reason for the flood of promos that portrayed Shields in different, wacky, off-the-wall stunts.

It was because NBC had a star but no solid idea for what to do with her. After the pilot was shot, the concept was declared a disaster, and most of the supporting cast dismissed.

“Suddenly Susan” premieres at 9:30, and NBC executives must still be wondering if they’ve found the right formula. Shields stars as Susan Keane, a magazine editor who finds herself suddenly unattached after leaving her finance standing at the altar. Shields has substantial comedic talent, as witnessed in last season’s “Friends” post-Super Bowl episode, not to mention broad appeal. But right now it all seems a little awkward. The show had better improve suddenly.

Highlights

“Friends,” NBC at 8: In the season premiere, Monica (Courteney Cox) is sleepless after breaking up with Richard, and Ross (David Schwimmer) regrets sharing his fantasy about a “Star Wars” character.

It’s followed by the season premieres of “The Single Guy” at 8:30 and “Seinfeld” at 9.

“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 8: The series’ fourth season opens with Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) suspecting that a cop’s accidental shooting of a fellow officer was no accident.

“Behind Closed Doors IV With Joan Lunden,” ABC at 9: The “Good Morning America” co-host tours the Pentagon, chats with singer Celine Dion, visits billionaire Richard Branson on his private island and hangs out with top fashion photographers.

“Turning Point,” ABC at 10: Back as a weekly series, the one-subject news hour has a chilling account of a group of climbers lost on Mount Everest last May. Included is ABC’s exclusive video from the ascent and subsequent rescue effort. Eight people perished in the attempt. This is as up-close and personal as television gets.