 Fall TV Preview
Itching to know what the 1999-2000 TV season has in store for you? Here's a teaser: There are shows about alienated high schoolers and shows about alien high schoolers. Shows that break the fourth wall and actors breaking out of their old shows (Jennifer Love Hewitt and David Boreanaz). And yes, there's the requisite new adult cartoon, this time from the WB (Mission Hill). With the nets debuting 38 new series, you'll need help separating the champs from the chumps. So we'll give you the star report on West Wing's White House drama. (Good to see you, Mr. Lowe.) We'll take you on a snoop around David E. Kelley's new series. And we'll provide red-carpet access to Jay Mohr's profanity-gushing movie producer in ''Action.'' So c'mon, start clicking - we swear it'll be fun.
NBC, 8-8:80 p.m. Starts Sept. 20 ABC, 8-8:30 p.m. Starts Sept. 21 
HEATHER LOCKLEAR CLAIMS she wanted a new challenge. She says she respects Michael J. Fox's acting skills. She was also an unemployed actress looking for work. But the real reason the former Melrose Place vixen packed her bags to join ABC's snappy political sitcom Spin City? "I heard there's a batting cage right next to where we shoot," says Locklear, a mere 24 hours before making her move to Spin's home base, New York City. "I love batting cages."
Well, there's no denying she's got a pretty good home-run average when it comes to TV. Locklear's career-making roles in T.J. Hooker and Dynasty earned her a permanent place in the camp hall of fame, even before her soap-operatic grand slam as Melrose's deliciously bitchy ad exec Amanda Woodward. Still, Locklear was eager to trade in catfights for comedy when Spin City came calling. "My manager told me about the offer in passing, like, 'What a compliment, but oh well, they're shooting in New York,'" says Locklear. "Within half an hour I was on the phone with my husband [Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora] like, 'Would you be interested in moving to New York?' and he was like, 'I'm ready. Let's go.'" Things won't be as easy for Locklear's Caitlin Moore, a wily workaholic who beats out James Carville (a season premiere guest star) to become manager of Mayor Winston's (Barry Bostwick) senatorial election campaign. "Caitlin is charming and furry but she's got issues," is all Spin executive producer David Rosenthal will divulge. "Heather's going to be a lot funnier and nuttier and looser than she's been allowed to be in her previous roles." Um, looser than on Melrose Place? Well not that way - at least not initially. "For the first half of the season, she and Mike aer sparring constantly," says Rosenthal, adding cryptically, "But who knows?" If sparks do fly, it's doubtful they'll last long, given Mike's knack for Quayle-deep relationships and the fact that Locklear only signed a one-year- contract. "You never know what'll happen," she says. "I don't know if I'll like it or if they'll like me." Should she strike out, Warner Bros. TV president Peter Roth, who pondered wooing Locklear before Spin nabbed her is said to be warming up with a new pitch. "Oh, that Peter," laughs Locklear. "Maybe next time up." -JESSICA SHAW, with additional reporting by Cheryl Klein (Rena Sofer's new show) ABC, 9:30-10 p.m. Debuts Sept. 22 CONCEPT Two roommating pals (including Stephen Dunham) take in a third who just left his marriage because he realized he's gay. Group mascot: a dog named Mom whose barks are interpreted with subtitles (e.g., at the sight of a human couple coupling, Dog: "Woof!" Subtitle: "Get a room!"). THE SCOOP Creator Alan Ball claims this premise is autobiographical, right down to the dog named Mom (but without the subtitles). "This always seemed funny when I was living it," he says. "A lot of shows about men get on the air [with] the subtext 'Aren't men assholes?' And that's not what the subtext of our show is at all. It's 'Aren't men funny and sweet and a little lost?'" BOTTOM LINE Suggested alternate title: Oh Shut Up. 
PROFILER NBC, 10-11 p.m. Starts Sept. 25 |