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DAWSON'S CREEK THE WB, 8-9 PM

After spending a long, hot summer together, Pacey (Joshua Jackson) and Joey (Katie Holmes, pictured) return for their senior year at Capeside High -- and Dawson (James Van Der Beek) just has to deal with it. Will he find solace in the arms of Pacey's sexy older sister (Sasha Alexander)? ''I'm not saying a word,'' demurs executive producer Paul Stupin. At least Pacey's ex Andie (Meredith Monroe) will get some action: She shares a kiss with a French exchange student played by Jason Daniel Roberts, better known as gay Danny from MTV's The Real World New Orleans. That's what we call playing it straight. (Oct. 4)

THE DREW CAREY SHOW ABC, 9-9:30 PM

Kate (Christa Miller) gets a job at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Drew (Drew Carey, above) rocks her world when he pops the question. Mimi (Kathy Kinney) gives birth (just in time for February sweeps!), and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) receives a visit from his ex-con dad (Tom Poston). ''He was in jail for fraud for having a fake mammogram van,'' exec producer Bruce Helford explains. ''He had women come in so he could squeeze their breasts.'' The sitcom will stage its annual dance number, error-filled April Fools' episode, and another live telecast, albeit without one twist. Says Helford, ''We talked about having the actors drunk, but I don't think anyone's gonna let us do it.'' Buzz kill! (Oct. 4)

THE WEST WING NBC, 9-10 PM

''A lot of people were unhappy'' with last season's assassination-attempt cliff-hanger, creator Aaron Sorkin concedes. ''If they watch the season opener, it will make them feel better.'' So too should the promotion of Janel Moloney (lovably contentious aide Donna Moss) to full-time regular. Additional females, including national security adviser Anna Deavere Smith (The American President) and conservative Emily Procter (Body Shots), should offset the exit of Moira Kelly (unlovably contentious aide Mandy Hampton) and help keep Allison Janney (above) company. We'll see less of Joint Chiefs of Staff chair John Amos and Secret Service agent Jorja Fox, who've moved to CBS' The District and C.S.I., respectively. But First Lady Stockard Channing will be back -- and in January, a certain ex-President will have time to do some cameoing. (Oct. 4)

STAR TREK: VOYAGER UPN, 9-10 PM

The series completes its seven-year mission, having reached its goal: syndication. ''The question will be: 'What is the fate of Voyager? Is it going to get home?''' says exec producer Rick Berman. What's the answer? ''I'm not telling, but the season is going to end in an unexpected way.'' Let us guess: Kate Mulgrew's (pictured) Capt. Janeway wakes up and finds it was all a bad dream. (Oct. 4)

FELICITY THE WB, 9-10 PM

First things first: How's Keri Russell's (above) mane? ''It's gorgeous,'' reports creator/executive producer J.J. Abrams. ''It's touching her back and coming down the sides.'' Felicity likewise lets her hair down with Ben (Scott Speedman), impulsively shacking up with him. ''It's sort of Barefoot in the Park-y,'' says Abrams. And while Felicity gets tutored by a pot-puffing professor (Once and Again's Paul Mazursky), Ben's recovering-addict dad (John Ritter) tries to make amends. All together now: ''Come and knock on our door....'' (Oct. 4)


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