Returning Shows, Fall 2001

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY
ABC, 7-9 PM
''We're trying to make movies that will appeal to parents as well as kids,'' says ABC exec VP Susan Lyne. To that end, we'll see a remake of the 1971 jock tearjerker Brian's Song, starring O's Mekhi Phifer as Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers. ''Dads can still hum the theme song,'' says Lyne. ''Now they can watch it with their sons -- and daughters.'' Also on the slate are twists on Cinderella (titled Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, with The West Wing's Stockard Channing as the evil stepmother) and Snow White (featuring Smallville's Kristin Kreuk in the title role). Plus, look for a four-hour miniseries of the 1962 sci-fi kids' book A Wrinkle in Time and a hopefully Jacko-free new take on The Wiz. (Sept. 23)

FUTURAMA
FOX, 7-7:30 PM
Last season, the network eighty-sixed the animated series' Christmas special, in which a robotic Santa goes on a violent rampage, but executive producer David X. Cohen says he's gotten the go-ahead to air it this year in a later time slot. In less controversial developments, Leela becomes the first female player of a baseball-like game (cartoon versions of Bob Uecker and Hank Aaron appear), and Sigourney Weaver provides the sexy voice for a spaceship's HAL-like computer. ''Bender and the ship have a whirlwind romance,'' says Cohen. ''It doesn't end well.'' Does it ever? (Dec. 9)

KING OF THE HILL
FOX, 7:30-8 PM
The cartoon cameos continue: Michael Keaton (as Arlen's wealthiest man, a pork-plant owner who starts dating Luanne); Jeff Goldblum (as a flimflam artist who tries to scam Peggy); Gary Busey (as Dale's crazed challenger for gun-club president); Alan Rickman and Laura Dern (as Renaissance Fair-goers); and Charles Nelson Reilly (as Dale's dad, who's in town for the Gay Rodeo). ''Kathy Bates plays a female cop who pulls Hank over...and frisks him inappropriately,'' adds coexec producer Glenn Berger. ''It's the same episode where Peggy chaperons a field trip to Mexico...and inadvertently kidnaps a Mexican student and smuggles her into America.'' Plus, Berger has set his sights on two more celebs who might be dates for teenager Bobby after he breaks up with Connie. ''It could be the Bush daughters,'' he says. We'll drink to that. (Nov. 4)

THE SIMPSONS
FOX, 8-8:30 PM
Malcolm in the Middle mom Jane Kaczmarek shows up a half hour early, voicing a judge who sentences Homer and Bart to be chained together. Meanwhile, Lisa converts to Buddhism with the help of Richard Gere, Marge takes on a corporate villain (Ben Stiller), and Mr. Burns falls for a younger woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Keep your ears peeled for Reese Witherspoon, Paul Newman (who plays himself on a bottle of salad dressing), Dennis Weaver, and R.E.M. as well. ''There's a Harry Potter satire coming up,'' says exec producer Al Jean, who also has the White House on his mind: ''It would be great to get a current or former President, [but] they don't want to get in trouble politically. Al Gore did Futurama, and look what happened to him.'' (Nov. 4)