Fall TV preview: Thursday's new shows

WWF SMACKDOWN!
UPN 8-10 PM Debuted Aug. 26

After last year's launch of the ludicrous Abe Lincoln sitcom The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer, how in the world could UPN possibly outdo itself in the bad-press department? Four words: World Wrestling Federation's Smackdown! At July's Television Critics Association gathering, reporters hectored UPN CEO Dean Valentine and entertainment president Tom Nunan so aggressively about the WWF's perceived racism, sexism, and even satanism, that finally a weary Valentine burst out, ''Hey, guys, it's a comedy! Lighten up!'' WWF owner Vince McMahon is even more direct: ''It just proves my point that most of the press are, basically, idiots,'' he says.

Touché. But even we ''idiots'' can understand why UPN is joining the Body Slam brigade: The only bright spot in its dismal 1998-99 season — in which the drastically under-watched netlet hemorrhaged viewers and hit lower-than-low points creatively (we repeat: Desmond Pfeiffer) — was last April's two-hour WWF special, which gave UPN its highest-rated Thursday night, plus record numbers in that ever-elusive young-male demo. Now that UPN is aiming to repackage itself as Testosterone TV, execs feel an alliance with cable's most successful machismo magnet fits them better than a pair of spandex briefs.

''We're treating it like our Monday Night Football,'' says Nunan. ''It will greatly enhance our weekly average and it's a great promotional tool.'' To that end, look for wrestlers to pop up in guest spots all over UPN — from the new sitcom Shasta McNasty to the sci-fi mainstay Star Trek: Voyager. Says Nunan, ''Every show wants their hands on these guys.''

But given that hardcore fans already get their prime-time wrestling fix from the WWF's other two-hour block, USA Network's RAW Is War, how will Smackdown! set itself apart? ''RAW is more visceral,'' says McMahon of the typically live broadcast. ''Smackdown! is a bit more sophisticated.'' Translation: Expect stronger emphasis on story line and character development, more out-of-ring action, and a sleeker look from set to graphics. And fear not, those pesky broadcast-TV standards won't force ''Stone Cold'' Steve Austin to change his middle-finger-flippin' ways, or Chyna to cover up her ample cleavage, or D-Generation X to silence their infamous battle cry, ''Suck it!'' Since Smackdown! is taped, says Nunan, ''bleeping and fuzzing out images can frequently handle the problem.''

The only thing more challenging than trying to keep Smackdown! family-friendly, however, may be trying to keep it afloat, especially since it's airing on the more-competitive-than-ever Thursday night. ''I think we'll do extremely well,'' says McMahon. ''Nobody produces television with the passion that we do, and so on a consistent basis we're going to win.'' Anybody out there want to tell him he's wrong? — KRISTEN BALDWIN

MANCHESTER PREP
Fox, 8-9 p.m. Debut TBA

CONCEPT A TV version of the recent big-screen teen-sex romp Cruel Intentions, overseen by the film's director, Roger Kumble. Plot? Dueling step-brats (Robin Dunne, above, and Amy Adams) attend a posh prep school.
THE SCOOP The film was a nonstop barrage of sex. How can that translate to TV? ''You have to be more clever,'' says Kumble. ''The outrageousness from the movie is in the pilot — [it's] just less obvious.'' Still, he says, ''it's wicked. It's the anti-Dawson's Creek.'' Tell that to Freaks and Geeks (see Saturday).
BOTTOM LINE A feel-bad show with some good acting. May prove an excellent argument for public schools.