The "good bets" are few, but --- for a change --- so are the "don't bothers" among the new network fall TV series. This week, The Tidings presents its annual season preview, complied by Harry Forbes, David DiCerto and Anne Navarro of the USCCB Office of Film and Broadcasting. All times are Pacific.

ABC: Trying to plug leaks
In an effort to uphold its image as the "family" network, ABC has slated the relatively benign domestic comedy, "Complete Savages" (produced by Mel Gibson's Icon Productions), while at the same time unveiling edgier fare like the salacious suburban soap "Desperate Housewives" and the teen sex drama "Life as We Know It." There is also a predictable mix of police and medical dramas, reality shows and a high-concept adventure series which ABC execs are hoping will do better than last year's disastrous crop.

"Desperate Housewives," Sundays, 9-10 p.m.: Comedy-drama about Mary Alice (Brenda Strong), a suburban housewife with a seemingly perfect life who commits suicide, and now provides running commentary from beyond the grave on the lives of her shallow friends, who include former businesswoman Lynette (Felicity Huffman), saddled with triplets; Gabrielle (Eva Longoria), an ex-model with a chauvinist husband; Bree (Marcia Cross), the obnoxiously perfect wife; Susan (Teri Hatcher), abandoned by her husband, who now sets her sights on the guy next door; and Edie (Nicollette Sheridan), a buxom blonde with the same idea.

Some Interest: The dialogue is distressingly trashy, some of the situations morally offensive (such as Gabrielle carrying on with the 17-year-old gardener); and the sardonic narration a steal from "Sex and the City" without that series' wit. Still, the basic situation is intriguing, including, as it does, the mystery behind Mary Alice's suicide.

"Grey's Anatomy," Mondays (premiering midseason): Medical drama about a crop of interns fresh out of med school, including Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), trying to make it through a survival-of-the-fittest surgical residency program at a prestigious Seattle hospital. In addition to dealing with the highly competitive pressures of the life-and-death atmosphere, the stitch-and-scalpel recruits must also cope with demanding doctors, difficult patients, sleep deprivation and even the occasional romance.

Some Interest: The show feels like a combination of "ER" and "Scrubs," though the writing is a notch or two below both NBC series. The pilot episode --- which contains some crude sexual references as well as an implied sexual encounter --- follows the lead of "ER," grafting medical realism onto what is essentially a soap opera. Still, when it comes to human drama, even when medical series are only so-so, they're still pretty satisfying.

"Rodney," Tuesdays, 9:30-10 p.m.: Sitcom set in Tulsa, about a blue-collar loser with a wife and two kids determined to follow his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. Real-life comic Rodney Carrington plays the likable but often wrong-headed husband; Jennifer Aspen's the usual long-suffering but supportive wife.

Don't Bother: The characters are all stereotypes, and the dialogue and situations strain for laughs. Unnecessary crudeness in the dialogue ("knocked up the boss's daughter") and the set-ups (Rodney walking through Wal-Mart "buck naked" after losing a bet) make this "family" comedy a questionable prospect for family viewing.

"Blind Justice," Tuesdays (premiering midseason): Crime drama set in New York City about a hard-nosed police detective (Ron Eldard) blinded in a shootout, who overcomes his handicap and discouragement from fellow cops --- including his new partner (Marisol Nichols) --- and is reinstated to active duty.

Some Interest: The show scores points for its authentic New York locations, but will its sightless-hero twist blind viewers to its otherwise standard-issue police formula? The pilot contains a violent shootout and recurring crime-scene gore.

"Lost," Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m.: Adventure drama about a group of airline passengers who survive a crash landing on a deserted Pacific island after their plane tears apart mid-flight. As hope of rescue fades, the survivors --- including a level-headed doctor, a rock musician and a woman with an enigmatic past --- must band together, overcoming fears and frictions in order to stay alive. But like those stranded, the island also holds secrets, including a terrifying beast stalking its jungles. The politically correct cast includes an Iraqi man, who becomes the target of ethnic suspicions.

Holds Promise: Though given the current climate of air travel anxiety, the concept is interesting. The pilot episode has an old-fashioned, cliffhanger serial feel, but it also contains recurring intense images of a mid-flight disaster, a disturbing opening sequence as survivors wander amid the crash carnage -- one gets sucked into the jet's engine -- as well as a gory scene involving the mysterious predator.

"Wife Swap," Wednesdays, 10-11p.m.: Reality show in which the mothers of two families change places for two weeks. During the first week, the women must live by the rules of their surrogate households, then call the shots the following week.

Some Interest: Despite its racy and chauvinistic title, the show (at least in its pilot episode) encourages mutual respect between spouses and heightened appreciation for the vital role wives and mothers play in the life of a family.

"Life as We Know It," Thursdays, 9-10 p.m.: Coming-of-age drama about a trio of hyper-hormonal high school friends: self-assured jock, self-conscious school photographer and sarcastic straight-A student, and the trials and tribulations they experience while dealing with that emotional pressure-cooker known as puberty.

Don't Bother: Told through the prism of its three lustful leads, the sexually charged story line is full of envelope-pushing dialogue and situations involving, among other things, teen sex, underage drinking and a student-teacher tryst. Aside from its moral red flags, the writing and acting are flat and the overall tenor melodramatic.

"Complete Savages," Fridays, 8:30-9 p.m.: Domestic sitcom about a widower fireman, Nick Savage (Keith Carradine), single-handedly raising a brood of five teenage boys, a task which makes running into burning buildings seem downright relaxing.

Holds Promise: Mel Gibson, who as a father of seven knows a thing or two about the headaches and hazards involved in raising large families, serves as one of the show's producers and directed the pilot episode. Still, despite its family-friendly tone, the show provides few five-alarm laughs.

As of this writing, preview tapes were not available for "Boston Legal" (Sundays, 10-11 p.m.), a spinoff of "The Practice," and "The Benefactor" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m.), an unscripted series in which billionaire Mark Cuban tests the mettle of 16 contestants as they compete for the chance to win $1 million.

CBS: Home of lost actors
CBS' fall lineup includes shows with several once-big, now-nearly-forgotten actors looking for a second --- or is it third? --- chance. But it's a mixed bag, both for the performers and the viewers.

John Goodman, who cannot get a good TV gig since "Roseanne," may again come up empty in the abysmal "Center of the Universe" (he also lends his voice to NBC's animated series, "Father of the Pride"). Rob Lowe comes back after last year's "Lyon's Den" failure on NBC as a hip "Dr. Vegas," which is in need of some doctoring. But CBS may have scored with Jason Alexander's "Listen Up," which also stars Malcolm-Jamal Warner from "The Cosby Show."

"Listen Up," Mondays, 8:30-9 p.m.: "Seinfeld's" Alexander stars as a brash sports talk-show host and columnist juggling work and family while coming up with a fresh topic for his weekly humor column that usually includes anecdotes about his family.

Some Interest: The sitcom's writing is witty, but still needs some fine-tuning. Alexander seems comfortable in a role that hints of George Costanza's neurosis while still being original enough to stand apart.

"Clubhouse," Tuesdays, 9-10 p.m.: A teenage boy gets the job of his dreams as a bat boy for the mythical New York Empires and tries to navigate the world of immature but powerful athletes as he faces tough decisions likely to shape his character.

Don't Bother: The premise has all the underpinnings of a good show, which makes one want to root for it, but the execution is flawed. Hollow characterizations, exaggerated story lines and phony sentiments make the show strike out. Not even the moral-of-the-story ending can save the game.

"Center of the Universe," Wednesdays, 9:30-10 p.m.: John Goodman stars as a happily married family man patiently trying to keep his parents and siblings from driving him nuts.

Don't Bother: Good actors don't necessarily translate into good TV. In spite of a cast loaded with talent (Jean Smart, Olympia Dukakis and Ed Asner), this sitcom is weighed down by dreadful writing and off-the-wall (and derivative) characters that don't work. It's too bad, since the show's sentiment of loving your family, warts and all, is heartfelt.

"CSI: NY," Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m.: The second spinoff in the series takes the action to Gotham City with more of the same high-tech science used to solve crimes and forensic thrills (read: darker, edgier) laid out, Big Apple-style.

Some Interest: Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes never crack a smile in this serious drama with satisfying, yet conventional, writing which pushes the envelope toward the grisly in hopes of standing out. Some viewers might be put off by the gruesomeness.

"Dr. Vegas," Fridays, 10-11 p.m.: Emerging in popularity as the hottest television show location, Sin City now is being used as the backdrop for Rob Lowe's new drama. He stars as an offbeat doctor at a high-stakes casino run by his best friend, Joe Pantoliano.

Some Interest: Both Lowe and Pantoliano lost their gamble with dramas last season, and they may be sitting at the loser's table again this season. However, the two have a surprising amount of chemistry and charm and the show has plenty of razzle-dazzle, despite artificial setups and pat endings.

NBC: Looking for new friends
Hoping to inject some life into their dramas with something other than another "Law & Order" spinoff, NBC presents three new dramas, each with a distinctive flavor. Viewers going through "Friends" withdrawal are likely to be disappointed with the half-baked "Joey."

"LAX," Mondays, 10-11 p.m.: Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood are adversaries in this plucky drama centered on Southern California's international airport where bomb scares, customs snafus and political scheming go hand-in-hand with arrivals and departures.

Holds Promise: Although the drama needs some polish before it takes off, engaging characters zip through the action. But attempts to "lighten up" terrorism are questionable, while comic relief scenes remain grounded. However, the tension between the leads might be enough to fuel the drama through the season.

"Father of the Pride," Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p.m.: Offbeat computer-animated comedy about the behind-the-glitz domestic lives of a family of lions performing in the Siegfried & Roy show in Las Vegas. Pride members include Larry (voiced by John Goodman), his lioness wife (Cheryl Hines), their two cubs and crotchety father-in-law (Carl Reiner), plus a menagerie of fellow show biz animals.

Some Interest: The concept is amusing, but the sitcom's fun-filled facade belies an underlying seediness in the form of unnecessarily crude language and sexual humor, which is nothing to be proud of.

"Hawaii," Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m.: "Hawaii Five-O" has been revamped and souped up with all the trimmings of a 21st-century cop show: tough detectives, gruesome crimes, office politics (and romance) set against the island's idyllic backdrop.

Holds Promise: The familiar format holds no surprises as it mixes forensics and good old detective legwork in solving the grisly crimes. Yet the believable casting of ethnic characters, the beautiful local color and even the Hawaiian music give this drama an authentic and fresh feel that helps it stand out, marginally, from other run-of-the-mill police series.

"Joey," Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m.: Graduating from "friend" to main player, Matt LeBlanc leaps into his own show, with his dimwitted Joey character moving to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, incurring the wrath of his sassy hairdresser sister (Drea de Matteo from "The Sopranos") when he allows her son (Paulo Costanzo) to move out of her place and into his.

Some Interest: The good will of "Friends" fans will be tested by this mediocre spinoff. Forced dialogue and worn, predictable situations will need the show's canned laughter.

"Medical Investigation," Fridays, 10-11 p.m.: "Bizarre health mysteries, supposedly inspired by true events, are solved by the nation's top medical experts who fly around the country saving citizens from the next big epidemic, outbreak or plague.

Some Interest: The drama generates some suspense, but can't disentangle itself from the sometimes hokey writing and the predictable "saved-the-day-again" ending.

Fox: Stepping to the plate
In an effort to minimize viewer desertion during a month-long hiatus for postseason baseball in October, Fox is attempting to reinvent the prime-time wheel by launching shows in June, November and January. So far, the strategy has not paid many dividends, with June's "The Jury" and "The Casino" cancelled. Other June bows included the steamy soap "North Shore" and sitcoms "Quintuplets" and "Method and Red."

"Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show," Sundays, 7-7:30 p.m. (premiering in January): Imported from British TV, the show features rapid-fire sight gags and comic sketches which range from the surreally silly (a pair of men in medieval armor walk into a hotel and request a room for "two knights") to the mildly bawdy (a fully clothed "streaker" disrupts play at a nudist cricket tournament), cramming about 30 vignettes into each half-hour show.

Holds Promise: The sketch comedy has a fun "Laugh-In" feel, but it is hard to predict if its British brand of wit will tickle funny bones on this side of the pond.

"American Dad," Sundays, 9:30-10 p.m. (January): Animated comedy from the creator of "Family Guy" about a not-so-average American household, headed by an overzealous CIA operative on constant red alert. In addition to his wife and two teenage children, the family also includes Klaus, a lustful German-speaking goldfish and Roger, a sarcastic extraterrestrial rescued from Area 51.

Some Interest: The writing is not on par with "The Simpsons" --- which set the gold standard for adult animation --- but its blend of clever social satire and quirkiness could earn it a cult following. But is America ready for a cartoon with a post-Sept. 11 twist?

"House," Tuesdays, 9-10 p.m. (November): Medical drama about a brilliant but bad-tempered diagnostician, Dr. Greg House (Hugh Laurie), who cracks the most dire and difficult clinical cases. Helping him save lives is a handpicked team of fresh-from-med-school recruits, each with his or her own area of expertise.

Holds Promise: The well-worn mystery formula with an "ER" twist. The hospital setting provides fertile ground for interesting ethical dilemmas. The characterizations are a bit stock, but with slick production values and life-and-death story lines, the show's prognosis looks cautiously optimistic.

"Related by Family," Wednesdays, 8:30-9 p.m. (January): Sitcom orbiting around a group of teenagers working in a shopping mall food courtan 18-year-old slacker, his angst-ridden stepsister, his best buddy, and his girlfriend. Waiting at home are dysfunctionally daffy parents and 8-year-old golden child.

Don't Bother: It is hard to decide which is worse, the woefully bad acting or the forced, lame humor. In addition to some crude sex and drug references, the pilot contains a few sacrilegious jokes.

"Jonny Zero," Fridays, 9-10 p.m. (January): Urban drama about a reformed street thug, John Calvo (Franky G), who tries to go straight after being released from prison, only to find himself caught between a rock and more hard time when his former boss puts the pressure on him to return to his old leg-breaking ways, while the FBI tries to strong-arm him into working undercover as an informant. Along the way, he uses his street smarts and underworld contacts to be a good Samaritan for those who have nowhere else to turn for help.

Holds Promise: The gritty pilot is engaging, though its familiar formula --- jailbird with a heart of gold trying to make amends for past sins --- feels warmed-over. Still, Franky G is charismatic and the show's positive themes of redemption and second chances earn it the benefit of the doubt. However, recurring violence and some sexual content make it adult fare.

Preview tapes were not available for "The Partner" (Sundays, 9-10 p.m., premiering in November), "Athens" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m., January), "The Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best" (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m., November), "The Inside" (Fridays, 8-9 p.m., January) and "The Next Great Champ" (Fridays, 9-10 p.m., November).

WB: Above-average dramas
The WB is premiering two above-average dramas -- the superior "Jack & Bobby" (not the Kennedys, but one of them does become president), and the soap-operatic but still absorbing "The Mountain" -- and two new comedies -- "Commando Nanny," based on the life of reality TV producer Mark Burnett, and "Drew Carey's Green Screen Show," the latter (not available for screening at press time) debuting Sept. 16, 8:30-9 p.m.

"Jack & Bobby," Sundays, 9-10 p.m.: Unusually structured drama series about teenage brothers (Matt Long and Logan Lerman), one of whom will go on to become president of the United States in 2049, raised in a present-day fictional Missouri town by their single, college-professor mom (Lahti). The present-day story is interspersed with talking heads from the future, ruminating on both men and analyzing what makes them tick.

Good Bet: Sensitively written and well acted, the foreshadowing of the future gives the story surprising resonance, not to mention suspense, in dramatizing its creators' premise that "what happens today in the life of one child could impact the future of the entire world" and that "one individual can still make a difference in the world."

"The Mountain," Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m.: Brothers David and Will Carver (Oliver Hudson and Anson Mount) take over running a mountain resort after their grandfather is killed in an avalanche. In spite of sibling rivalry -- exacerbated by Will dating David's old flame, Maria -- they, and their mother and kid sister, a budding ski champion, stand up against the evil Dowling family who, with the aid of a disgruntled former employee, contrive to take control of the property.

Holds Promise: Soap opera elements notwithstanding, the mountain setting and a sympathetic performance by Hudson make this somewhat above-average viewing. A nongraphic date-rape scene and an almost soft-porn-styled lovemaking scene, utterly gratuitous, detract from the overall quality, however.

"Commando Nanny," Fridays, 8:30-9 p.m.: British ex-commando Miles Ross (Philip Winchester), fresh from Afghanistan, takes a job as nanny to an affluent Bel Air couple --- Ben (Gerald McRaney) and his second wife, Lizzie (Kristin Bauer) --- and quickly wins the affection of their young son Seth, while the older kids offer resistance. Produced by "Survivor" creator Mark Burnett whose own experience forms the basis for this series. Due to an injury to Winchester, the lead may be recast and the program's premiere delayed.

Holds Promise: Predictable but likable sitcom has humorous possibilities and appealing cast, but occasional crude dialogue spoils what otherwise could be decent family viewing.

UPN: Seeking young viewers
UPN continues to target the African-American and teen audience with its new fall season. Its young-market offering, "Veronica Mars," delves into some heavy subjects such as murder and date rape. "Kevin Hill," a Mel Gibson-produced drama, shows promise with its premise of Taye Diggs as a ladies' man and brash lawyer unexpectedly left to care for a baby girl. "Second Time Around," the network's only new sitcom, is the weak link. It will need more than a good-looking cast to help it attract and keep an audience.

"Second Time Around," Mondays, 9:30-10 p.m.: Sitcom in which a divorced couple (real-life spouses Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Parker) hope to find wedded bliss by burying old grievances and giving marriage another try.

Don't Bother: The message is that love and commitment are hard yet worthwhile work, but it's the sitcom that needs work as canned jokes, poorly written dialogue and a stiff cast make this a less-than-attractive proposal.

"Veronica Mars," Tuesdays, 9-10 p.m.: Teenage gumshoe gal tries to solve her tony town's mysteries (such as who killed her best friend and why her once-sheriff dad lost his job over it) while dealing with normal adolescent angst, high school cliques and algebra.

Holds Promise: The gritty pilot reels in the viewer with moody atmospherics and tension. The program seems to be targeting a young audience who will tune in each week to see how things unfold. But the mature material, such as date rape and murder, though not presented in an exploitative manner, is better suited to adults.

"Kevin Hill," Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m.: Taye Diggs stars in this Mel Gibson-produced drama about a brash young lawyer and Casanova unexpectedly left in charge of raising his cousin's 10-month-old baby girl.

Holds Promise: The drama gets some mileage from the fish-out-of-water scenarios, but, gratefully, doesn't rely on them. Still in need of tweaking, it works in a superficial way. Ultimately, the show manages to involve the audience as Diggs begins his transformation from loving the ladies to loving just one.

---CNS