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A guide to notable programs by BRUCE FRETTS. (Times are Eastern daylight and are subject to change.)
SITCOMS
Racial issues dominate typically serious episodes of ROSEANNE (ABC, April 5, 8-8:30 p.m.) and GRACE UNDER FIRE (ABC, April 5, 9-9:30 p.m.). In a rerun that originally aired last November, Roseanne and Dan (John Goodman) worry that young D.J. (Michael Fishman) might be a bigot when he refuses to kiss a black classmate (Rae-Ven Larrymore-Kelly) in a play. And Grace (Brett Butler) punishes her son, Quentin (Jon Paul Steuer), after he utters an unkind epithet in school. On a lighter note, Grace roasts her terminally taciturn boss (Paul Dooley) at a dinner commemorating his 40th year with the company.
It was good to see Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris back as George's parents on a recent SEINFELD (NBC, April 6, 9-9:30 p.m.), and now the equally amusing Barney Martin and Liz Sheridan return as Jerry's folks, who have to stay at a fancy-schmancy hotel when their son's place gets bug-bombed. (Naturally, Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Elaine leaves a much-needed manuscript in the apartment.) Also watch for two other can't-miss recurring characters: arm-grabbing Uncle Leo (Len Lesser) and surly neighbor Newman (Wayne Knight).
They just can't seem to get enough Jennifers on FRIENDS (NBC, April 6, 9:30-10 p.m.). In addition to the adorable Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), the show previously featured Jennifer Grant -- the genetically blessed daughter of Dyan Cannon and Cary Grant -- as a flirty coworker whom Chandler (Matthew Perry) couldn't bring himself to fire. This week Dirty Dancing's Jennifer Grey guest-stars as Mindy, an old friend who ran off with Rachel's jilted ex-fiance (Mitchell Whitfield) and now wants Rachel to be the maid of honor at their impending wedding. How long before Jennifer Tilly shows up?
MEDICAL SHOWS
Nearly every week on Chicago Hope, the doctors must defend their actions before a hospital board. Their counterparts on ER (NBC, April 6, 10-11 p.m.) are usually too busy treating trauma cases to take part in such meetings, but now Dr. Greene (Anthony Edwards) must face a panel probing the death of a pregnant patient a few weeks back. Meanwhile, the physicians of CHICAGO HOPE (CBS, April 10, 10-11 p.m.) spring into action to battle a virus that has already killed three people. This Outbreak-like episode is based on a story by David E. Kelley, Thomas M. Heric, M.D., and D. Gareth Wootton, M.D. -- so it must be A-OK.
COP SHOWS
Family conflicts complicate the officers' lives on NYPD BLUE (ABC, April 4, 10-11 p.m.) and LAW & ORDER (NBC, April 5, 10-11 p.m.). NYPD's Lieutenant Fancy (James McDaniel) becomes embroiled in a disagreement between his temperamental cop brother (Michael Jai White, soon to be seen in the title role of HBO's boxing biopic Tyson) and his Caucasian commander (Danny Goldring). And Law men Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Logan (Chris Noth) arrest an alcoholic for murdering two people whom he claims to have mistaken for his abusive parents. Casualty update: Noth won't return next season -- he's the sixth cast member to leave Law in five years.
