Fall TV Preview: Tuesday's New Shows

THE HUGHLEYS
So, how exactly did edgy Chris Rock wind up an executive producer of a family-hour sitcom? ''D.L. Hughley (star, cocreator, and producer of ABC's The Hughleys) wanted to do a show,'' says Rock, who shares a manager with the stand-up. ''I was a big fan of his, so I just kind of volunteered to put my name on it if it would help.''

And did it? ''It didn't hurt,'' admits Hughley (pronounced Hyoog-ly). ''Chris was like my American Express card — he opened a lot of doors.''

If only assuaging pesky critics were that easy. The show — which focuses on a lone middle-class black family in a white suburb (one of two comedies plumbing that theme this fall) — found itself the subject of a mini-controversy during the TV industry's recent press tour. At issue: Is Hughleys' race-based humor stereotypical (particularly a line in the pilot that implies blacks aren't prompt bill payers)? Hughley quickly dismisses such rumblings. ''I'm not trying to be a spokesperson for anybody,'' he says. ''I'm just telling you about my experiences. You could read from the Bible and someone would take offense.''

Surprisingly, Rock — no slouch at sharp-tongued black humor himself — isn't entirely comfortable with certain jokes yet remains supportive. ''Saying that [blacks don't pay their bills on time]is a stereotype. But it's D.L.'s show, and I'm behind whatever he wants to do.'' And, as Hughley points out, following Home Improvement — one of ABC's cushiest slots — does place it smack-dab in the middle of the you-know-what hour. ''People can try to find ways to put race into it,'' Hughley says. ''But at heart, it's a show about family.''

Might we see this family getting a well-timed (i.e., sweeps) visit from its high-profile producer? ''It's been brought up,'' hedges Rock. ''Let's say we're not ruling it out.'' Now that would be a lethal weapon.
BOTTOM LINE A terrifically likable cast (including Elise Neal as Hughley's wife, and Eric Allan Kramer and Marietta DePrima as their neighbors) helps The Hughleys transcend the more self-conscious gags that deal in stereotypes.

COSTELLO
CONCEPT Tough-talking Boston barmaid (stand-up comic Sue Costello) cracks wise with down-to-earth truths. Imagine Cheers' Carla with her own show.
THE SCOOP If the working-class premise sounds like last season's ABC flop Townies — well, Costello was offered the lead in that series (Molly Ringwald's part). But, she says, ''I wasn't ready at the time to do it.... [This show] is more rough, more edgy.''
BOTTOM LINE Nice spot (after King of the Hill), but Costello's persona is as abrasive as Hank Hill's sanding machine. )