Evidence Looks Good For ‘The Practice’

Justice prevailed when David took on Goliath.

Similarly, a small Boston law firm takes on bigger firms and a relentless flow of criminal cases in ABC’s “The Practice.”

The hour drama, premiering at 10, stars Dylan McDermott, whose good looks and charisma carry the pilot episode. I’d put him up there with Jimmy Smits (“NYPD Blue”) and Anthony LaPaglia (“Murder One”) at the top of the list of prime-time hunks. Sorry, George Clooney.

Bobby Donnell (McDermott) is that familiar, principled lawyer who has forgone the glamour of the big-time practice in favor of being his own boss and fighting for cases he believes in.

Tonight, he defends an upstanding teenager (Tammy Townsend) who is facing drug charges because she tried to protect her drug-selling brother. Despite one overwrought scene in which Donnell anguishes over closing arguments, McDermott is right on target, both in and out of the courtroom.

Rounding out the firm are Kelli Williams as Lindsay Dole, Steve Harris as Eugene Young, and Camryn Manheim as Ellenor Frutt.

Dole is confronted by a former law professor (Edward Herrmann at his best) representing a case against a tobacco company. Young and Frutt defend a flasher.

Created by David E. Kelley (“Chicago Hope,” “Picket Fences”), this series has a lot going for it.

Highlights

“Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” (1993), FOX at 8: Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy and Maggie Smith are among those reprising their roles in this lightweight sequel. Deloris Van Cartier (Goldberg) returns to St. Catherine’s to coach a choir. James Coburn plays a corporate bad guy who threatens to close the school.

Rousing music helps lift the ho-hum script.

“When the Cradle Falls” (1996), CBS at 9: This inept melodrama with an undistinguished cast preys on parents’ fears of baby smuggling and black-market adoptions. Martha Byrne (“As the World Turns”) and Scott Reeves (“The Young and the Restless”) play a suburban couple whose baby disappears.

It’s the work of an evil lawyer (Linda Gray in a ridiculous, demeaning role) who steals babies for expensive private adoptions.

She is aided by a nurse (Cathy Lee Crosby) whom she is blackmailing. The villainous lawyer once kept the woman from going to jail by withholding incriminating evidence.

Slow-moving and poorly acted, it’s a major waste of time.

“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: “Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: The tables are turned on Tim (Tim Allen) when Jill (Patricia Richardson) uses money from an inheritance to buy her own sports car - and she tells husband to keep his hands off. Repeat.

“Just Shoot Me,” NBC at 9:30: Smart, vivacious Laura San Giacomo stars in this office comedy from the people behind “NewsRadio” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” It’s funny, albeit strictly by the book.

After quitting a job in a TV newsroom, Maya Gallo calls on her estranged father (George Segal), the publisher of a “fluffy Cosmo-esque” magazine. You won’t be surprised when she reluctantly joins the staff.

I got a kick out of David Spade (“Saturday Night Live”) as a nutty office manager. Wendie Malick (“Dream On”) plays a past-her-prime model who has become the magazine’s bossy fashion editor.

Enrico Colantoni (“Hope & Gloria”) plays a photographer who can’t keep his lens cap on, if you catch my drift.

How much does this sound like “The Naked Truth” and “Suddenly Susan”?

The series moves to its regular time slot Wednesday at 9:30.

Cable Calls

“Tales of the City,” BRAVO at 7 and 10: The controversial PBS short series based on Armistead Maupin’s best seller airs over six Tuesdays. Olympia Dukakis, Chloe Webb, Ian McKellen and Laura Linney star.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actors Arsenio Hall and Billy Bob Thornton.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Radio personality Robin Quivers, Adam Arkin (“Chicago Hope”) and music group James.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Wes Craven, political strategist Dick Morris and comedian Bobby Slayton.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Marisa Tomei, actor Eugene Levy and musical guest The Rev. Horton Heat. Repeat.