‘Damon’ Plays Up Talent, Comedy

Sat., March 21, 1998

Faye Zuckerman New York Times Syndicate

Stand up and cheer for FOX for allowing Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier (formerly of “In Living Color”) to return to their old haunt with a sidesplitting new half-hour, Sunday at 8:30. They are a delight with refreshing dialogue and knee-slapping moments.

“Damon” (being previewed on Sunday at 8:30 for the next three weeks before moving to its regular time slot, Monday at 8) is a “Barney Miller”-like sitcom set at a Chicago precinct where a multiethnic group of cops exchanges rejoinders and battles crime. The half-hour gives Wayans a chance to display his talent for playing an array of characters.

In the premiere, he masquerades as a pimp and, later, as an elderly gentleman to bust a prostitution ring.

Grier adds his own brand of comedy as Wayans’ cop-wanna-be brother. And Andrea Martin is a hoot as the precinct captain who wants to start dating but can’t seem to get rid of her rough edges.

Highlights

“Profiler,” NBC tonight at 10: In a fast-paced episode, Sam and colleagues head for Florida to investigate a serial rapist. In Florida, Sam helps a woman cop (Alicia Coppola) cope with violence from her own past. Meanwhile, John and Marcus attempt to track down killer Jill (Traci Lords), Jack’s associate.

“The Little Rascals” (1994), ABC Sunday at 7: This update can’t hold a candle to the wonderful original shorts of the 1930s. Here the target market is clearly kids, who will enjoy watching those rascals (charter members of the He-Man Woman Haters Club) trying to put an end to Alfalfa’s (Bug Hall) romance.

“Blood on Her Hands” (1998), ABC Sunday at 9: Susan Lucci whines her way through this tale as a spoiled psychopath. She gets her lover (Philip Casnoff) to kill her husband (John O’Hurley) and then attempts to run off with as much cash as possible. Her character lacks much personality and the motives are transparent, leaving one to wonder if all men, including her so-called savvy lawyer, are as dumb as the ones in this movie.

“I’ve Been Waiting for You” (1998), NBC Sunday at 9: This tale is based on Lois Duncan’s book “Gallows Hill.” It features “Roseanne’s” Sarah Chalke as a newcomer to a New England town where she’s believed to be a witch. Markie Post, Soleil Moon Frye and Christian Campbell co-star.

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