SOMETHING BORROWED

Once every few years, the networks try to combat shrinking audiences by picking risk-taking new series for their fall lineups. This isn't one of those years. Second-place ABC has taken its two most recent sitcom smashes-Roseanne and Home Improvement-and tried to duplicate their formula of stand-up-as- sarcastic-parent with such unknown comics as Thea Vidale and Brett Butler. Third-place NBC is relying on extremely familiar TV faces like Valerie Bertinelli, Larry Hagman, John Larroquette, and Cindy Williams to beef up its sagging schedule. ABC Although the network brass called Roseanne Arnold's bluff and axed her husband's Jackie Thomas Show, they softened the blow by signing the cranky couple to a multiseries deal that allows Tom to star in a sitcom for CBS next season. Also departing are the reality-based American Detective and FBI: The Untold Stories; the sitcoms Delta, Doogie Howser, M.D., and The Wonder Years; and the dramas Civil Wars, Homefront, Jack's Place, Life Goes On, Sirens, and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Dinosaurs will return at mid-season. u New Shows: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Sundays, 8-9 p.m.) A witty revamp of the romance between closeted superhero Clark Kent (Dean Cain, Shannen Doherty's Paris paramour on 90210) and fellow reporter Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher, Jerry's spectacularly buxom date on a recent Seinfeld). Phenom (Tuesdays, 8:30-9 p.m.) Who's the Boss' Judith Light stars as the mother of a teenage tennis star in this new sitcom from James L. Brooks. Knots Landing's William Devane costars as the girl's salty coach. NYPD Blue (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m.) Steven Bochco returns to the genre he revolutionized (Hill Street Blues) and desecrated (Cop Rock) with this police drama that promises to push the envelope of prime-time permissiveness. Thea (Wednesdays, 8-8:30 p.m.) Thea Vidale (a '90s version of Mabel King's Mama on What's Happening!!) plays a widow raising four adorable youngsters. Joe's Life (Wednesdays, 8:30-9 p.m.) Civil Wars' Peter Onorati stars as an unemployed electrician raising two adorable youngsters. Grace Under Fire (Wednesdays, 9:30-10 p.m.) Brett Butler, a Southern-fried Roseanne, plays a single mom raising three adorable youngsters. Do the Strand (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m.) A romantic mystery in the tradition of P.S. I Luv U, with The Rocketeer's Bill Campbell and Universal Soldier's Ally Walker. Missing Persons (Thursdays, 8-9 p.m.) Hill Street Blues' Daniel J. Travanti is back on the job as the head of Chicago's finders- of-lost-folks bureau. Boy Meets World (Fridays, 8:30-9 p.m.) Ben Savage (Fred's lil' bro) is an adorable youngster who lives next door to his crusty but lovable teacher (St. Elsewhere's William Daniels). George (Saturdays, 8-8:30 p.m.) Heavyweight George Foreman plays an ex-boxer who starts an after-school program for adorable youngsters. The Paula Poundstone Show (Saturdays, 9-10 p.m.) The wry stand-up gets her own comedy hour in this last-minute addition to the schedule. NBC Gone are the reality-based Secret Service; the sitcoms Almost Home, A Different World, Here and Now, and Out All Night; and the dramas Crime & Punishment, I'll Fly Away, Quantum Leap, and Reasonable Doubts. Homicide: Life on the Street may return at mid-season. u NEW shows: seaQuest DSV (Sundays, 8-9 p.m.) Steven Spielberg casts his Jaws hero, Roy Scheider, as the captain of a high-tech, 21st-century submarine. The time slot sets up an intriguing sci-fi/fantasy showdown with ABC's Lois & Clark. Saved by the Bell: The College Years (Tuesdays, 8-8:30 p.m.) Saturday-morning kiddie hunks Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, and Dustin Diamond graduate to a nighttime series. Getting By (Tuesdays, 8:30-9 p.m.) Cindy Williams and Telma Hopkins' salt-and- pepper Kate & Allie knockoff moves from ABC (which planned to air it in the dreaded Saturday-at-8 slot). The John Larroquette Show (Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p.m.) The Night Court alum plays an ex-drunk who works the late shift at a St. Louis bus station. A sacrificial turkey against Roseanne. The Second Half(Tuesdays, 9:30-10 p.m.) Another stand-up comic (John Mendoza) stars as an Oscar Madison- esque Chi-cago sportswriter with two adorable youngsters. NBC News Magazine (Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m.) NBC's top info talent-Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, and whiz-kid producer Jeff Zucker-team for its second prime-time news hour. Frasier (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m.) Kelsey Grammer's stuffy Cheers shrink hosts a Seattle talk-radio show. The pilot, at least, is much funnier than AfterMASH. Against the Grain (Fridays, 8-9 p.m.) NBC's penance for killing I'll Fly Away, this low-key family drama concerns a high school football coach in a small Texas town that worships at the shrine of the gridiron. The NBC Friday Night Mystery (Fridays, 9-11 p.m.) A rotating series of whodunits, featuring Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers reprising Hart to Hart, Richard Crenna's NYPD Det. Frank Janek (moving from CBS), and two new sleuths played by Kenny Rogers and Larry Hagman. Mommies (Saturdays, 8-8:30 p.m.) Here's a twist: A stand-up comedy duo (Marilyn Kentz and Caryl Kristensen) raise four adorable youngsters (with one on the way). Cafe Americain (Saturdays, 8:30-9 p.m.) Valerie Bertinelli stars as an adorable divorcee who moves to Paris and lands a job at a wacky bistro. Vive la Valerie!