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Sunday Nitro TNT, starting Sept. 9, 7 p.m. One of the memorable commercials for Turner Network Television's first foray into pro football contains these highlights: a scene of L.A. Ram George Bethune dancing on the sideline, followed by Gene Kelly dancing and singing in the rain; Cary Grant shuffling across a ballroom, followed by Cincinnati Bengal Barney Bussey shuffling out of bounds; and Spencer Tracy slapping Katharine Hepburn's bottom, followed by Moe slapping Curly, followed by San Francisco 49er Roger Craig giving a high-five to a teammate. Looking at this movie-happy spot, it's clear that Ted Turner's network won't be taking the game too seriously. Even the title of its game coverage is something of a hoot: Sunday Nitro, a play on the network's initials-TNT and nitro, get it? (TNT's nine-game schedule isn't the only thing new about football coverage this year; fans will get to see an unprecedented 224 games on five networks. See complete NFL TV schedule, page 9.) What else will be different about Turner's coverage? Don McGuire, executive producer of Turner Sports, says, ''It won't be cookie-cutter football. We're not looking at football as business; it's entertainment.'' Instead of using an East Coast studio for pregame, halftime, and postgame shows, TNT plans to broadcast from a movable set that will travel to a different stadium each week. Fred Hickman (co-anchor of CNN's popular Sports Tonight) will be the host for the road-show segments, with assists from Craig Sager (TNT's host for NBA basketball) and Kevin Kiley (an ESPN college football announcer for the past four years). Talk-show host Larry King will provide commentary, NFL gossip, and opinion before kickoffs. At game time, Skip Caray will do play-by-play, with former L.A. Ram quarterback (and former CBS Sports commentator) Pat Haden as analyst. Nitro begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 with an old divisional rivalry: Philadelphia vs. New York. Will the commercials from that one feature clips from Where Eagles Dare? Or They Might Be Giants?
8/SATURDAY * Tennis The women's final and the men's semifinals of the U.S. Open, live from New York. CBS (11 a.m.-7 p.m.)
9/SUNDAY * Tennis The men's final of the U.S. Open, live. CBS (4-7 p.m.) * Major League baseball The St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Cubs in Chicago. ESPN (8-11 p.m.)
10/MONDAY * NFL football Monday Night Football kicks off its 21st regular season with the Super Bowl champion 49ers marching into New Orleans to play the Saints. ABC (9 p.m. to end)
