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Image credit: Spin City: Bob D'Amico

FOX TALE Without Michael J. Fox, ''Spin City'' (starring Charlie Sheen, Barry Bostwick, and Heather Locklear) has been uneven

NETWORK ABC
ON THE EDGE ''The Geena Davis Show,'' ''Two Guys and a Girl,'' ''Norm,'' ''Spin City''
'GEE' WHIZ? Davis' see through dress at the Oscars was only the first sign of desperation. Her sitcom was critically savaged (EW gave it a D) and quickly sank in the ratings despite its Top 20 debut. But don't count ''Geena'' out completely: ''It's scheduled to return later this season,'' says Berman. ''But it's very iffy.''
'NORM,' 'TWO GUYS' On Friday nights, these so so sitcoms have hovered near invisibility, scoring even lower ratings than Gabriel Byrne's short lived ''Madigan Men.'' Even so, ''Two Guys'' may have a shot at renewal. ''Keeping it for a fourth season may be worth it just to sell it for syndication rights,'' says Berman. But ''Norm''? Berman shoots back, ''Forget it.''
'SPIN' CONTROL Critics are mixed on the fate of ''Spin City,'' starring Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear. ''The ratings have been dropping significantly,'' says Berman. ''It can't anchor a time period anymore, and ABC is preempting it for about six weeks to try a new show.'' But Watson argues that the series is being ''rested'' for May sweeps: ''There are only 22 episodes of most shows, so you need to bench your key players during March and April. This is actually a good sign for 'Spin City.'''

NETWORK CBS
ON THE EDGE ''Some of My Best Friends,'' ''The Fugitive,'' ''That's Life''
LESS THAN 'FRIENDS' This ''Will & Grace'' rip off debuted in a pitiful fourth place Feb. 28 to vicious reviews (EW gave it a D+ and deemed the show's gay and Italian American stereotypes equally offensive). Its ratings were only slightly better than the now canned ''Bette.'' ''Even if it seems like it's too soon to cancel this one, with those numbers it was dead on arrival,'' says Berman.
'FUGITIVE' FROM SUCCESS Despite a tie in to a hit movie and plenty of pre- launch hype, ''The Fugitive'''s ratings have been dwindling since the fall. After taking over ''CSI'''s Friday at 9 p.m. time slot, the show scored 5 million fewer viewers. Even when producers added a love interest (Stacey Edwards) for the elusive Dr. Richard Kimble (''Wings''' Tim Daly), the downward spiral continued. This time, it looks like ''The Fugitive'' is getting away for good.
SIGNS OF 'LIFE' Though ''That's Life'' is struggling in its Saturday at 8 p.m. time slot (despite the presence of Oscar nominee Ellen Burstyn), there is a ray of hope. CBS is counting on its 9 p.m. social worker follow up, ''Kate Brasher.'' ''If 'Brasher' does well, CBS could have a two hour block of female dramas,'' says Berman. ''But the odds for both shows are 50 - 50.''

NETWORK FOX
ON THE EDGE ''Grounded for Life''
GETTING 'GROUNDED' It's been a good year for Fox, thanks to the reality hit ''Temptation Island'' and solid Monday and Tuesday night lineups (''Boston Public,'' ''Ally McBeal,'' ''That 70's Show,'' ''Titus,'' and ''Dark Angel''). But now that ''Temptation'' is off the air, its previous lead in, ''Grounded for Life,'' could falter. ''It's the only thing on that network that might be shaky,'' says Berman. ''And the ratings did slip this week. Still, I think Fox will want it back.''

NETWORK UPN
ON THE EDGE ''Celebrity Deathmatch,'' ''Level 9''
'DEATHMATCH' DIVE UPN has discovered that rehashing MTV's leftovers is no guarantee of bringing in that ever desirable male teen demographic. The claymation mayhem show is the lowest rated in its time slot.
'LEVEL'-ING OFF? Currently on hiatus, ''Level 9'' follows a group of computer experts who track down techno- terrorists and hunt for viruses. Yawn. Last minute cast changes didn't help. But with the cult hit ''Voyager'' signing off this season, UPN may decide to hold on to the techno- heavy show to cling to any lingering ''Voyager'' geeks. Still, overall, UPN is hanging by a thread. Other than the spark of ''The Parkers'' and ''Moesha,'' the network is a hit free zone.