Premise

After losing his job, Hilton Lucas finds himself facing an unwanted retirement.  Hilton must learn how to find a way to spend his days without annoying his wife.  Along the way, Cosby will let his own unique perspective help him in fighting back against life's little frustrations

Familiar Faces

Bill Cosby (The Cosby Show/I Spy) as Hilton Lucas, Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show) as Ruth Lucas, Madeline Kahn (Mel Brooks alumnus) as Pauline

Our Take

While Ink (the 8:30pm Ted Danson companion show) is much weaker, these two shows pack a great deal of star power.  Additionally, this is traditionally a solid night of comedy for CBS.  However, this show will most likely skew old as Melrose Place continues to draw in the younger crowd

Expect to Hear

Hilton (on losing his airline job): "They've been after me, I'm telling you"

Ruth (his wife): "They fired 10,000 other employees the same day"

Hilton: "...and when you watch 60 Minutes, obviously you don't pay attention because you would know that's how they cover it up"

Premise

Jack and Carrie Brittenham were happily married co-workers at the New York Sun - that is until they divorced.  Regardless, they assume that they can still remain friends as well as co-workers.  However, the former Mr. and Mrs. Brittenham find their relationship sorely tested when Carrie is promoted to editor

Familiar Faces

Ted Danson (Cheers) as Jack Brittenham, Mary Steenburgen (Mrs. Ted Danson) as Carrie Steenburgen

Our Take

While this program is not even close to joining the ranks of a Cheers (or Frasier), it does benefit from a high profile cast as well as a comfortable slot on a night with a proven CBS track record

Expect to Hear

“I had no idea that her desk would be that flammable”

- Jack (after a fight with Carrie)

Premise

After losing his job, Russell Greene decides to pack up the family in their motor home and use the last of his money to travel to his mother's home town for a new job.  Arriving in town, Russell hits the bottom when he discovers that the job is gone.  Recognizing that they still have each other, the family decides to turn their situation into an opportunity: They will travel the country doing odd jobs while trying to help others in need

Familiar Faces

Gerald McRaney (Simon and Simon/Major Dad) as Russell Greene

Our Take

While it may be tough to decide who will win the battle between Mad About You (in a new time slot) and former powerhouse Roseanne (going it alone without John Goodman), it seems highly unlikely that there will be any viewers left for this heartwarming Touched by an Angel spin-off

Expect to Hear

“We can do some good wherever we go and home is wherever we are”

- Russell (explaining his plans to his family)

Premise

Pearl Caraldo is tired of accepting her position in life.  After being widowed from her longshoreman husband, Pearl decides to improve her life by going back to school.  Little did Pynchon realize that his prestigious university would find itself facing the task of educating someone as down-to-earth as Pearl

Familiar Faces

Rhea Perlman (Cheers) as Pearl Caraldo, Malcolm McDowell (Blue Thunder) as Stephen Pynchon

Our Take

This is a well written show that will benefit from  a strong lead-in (Nanny).  On the other hand while Laroquette may also have a strong lead-in in Wings, this show (which is also well written) was unable to build an audience when it followed Frasier.  Although Townies (ABC's Molly Ringwald sitcom) also has a strong lead-in in Ellen, this show pales in comparison to the higher quality humor of Pearl

Expect to Hear

Pearl: "You're really in love with yourself, aren't you?"

Pynchon: "Yes...but sadly it isn't reciprocated."

Premise

From producers Steven Bochco and Jay Tarses comes this new sitcom about the police officers serving in New York City's Public Moral's Division

Familiar Faces

None

Our Take

Although Men Behaving Badly and Drew Carey have superior lead-ins (in NewsRadio and Grace Under Fire, respectively), Public Morals will benefit from a superior producing team.  Of course, a great deal may depend on how well Almost Perfect (Moral's lead-in) fairs with the loss of Kevin Kilner's character (who is departing in order to allow Nancy Travis' character a chance to spend more time exploring the humor of her workplace)

Expect to Hear

“In the hotel, if a hooker shows up with a wooden leg, two glass eyes, and a hump on her back, we'll gonna collar her anyway”

-Lt. Neil Fogarty (on criticizing one of his officers for letting pit get in the way of her job)

Premise

Detective Cameron Quinn has a problem - trying to prove that his dead partner was not corrupt.  Danny Rooney, on the other hand, has an even bigger problem - trying to regain his life after serving in prison for a crime he did not commit.  EZ Streets brings them together in an hour drama from the creator of the recently cancelled Due South

Familiar Faces

Ken Olin (Thirtysomething) as Cameron Quinn, Jason Gedrick (Murder One) as Danny Rooney, Debrah Farentino (Earth 2) as Theresa Conners

Our Take

Faces tough competition from two proven franchises (Law & Order and Primetime Live)

Expect to Hear

“Your parole officer is gonna tell you not to associate with felons...You tell him we're the only people you can trust”

- "Mobster" Jimmy (explaining the facts of life to a recently released Danny)

Premise

As a psychiatrist serving on the police force, Dr. Nick Moloney finds himself dealing with everything from rogue cops to hostage situations.  Despite the violence he faces, Moloney will always manage to face each situation with a cool and calm demeanor and use his common sense rather than violence to stop crime

Familiar Faces

Peter Strauss (Rich Man, Poor Man)

Our Take

While the pilot offers a nice story with a good sense of humor, it is unlikely that this show will be able to take the Must See TV out of NBC's winning Thursday night

Expect to Hear

“Hello Ladies. I'll be your Doctor-Hostage this evening”

- Dr. Nick Moloney (after volunteering to serve as a hostage in order to get an injured hostage freed)

Premise

Standup comedian Ray Romano plays Ray Barone, a man trying to find happiness with his wife and family while dealing with his eccentric (and ever-visiting) relatives

Familiar Faces

Doris Roberts (Angie/Remington Steele) and Peter Boyle (Midnight Caller) as Ray's parents, Patricia Heaton (Room for Two) as Debra Barone

Our Take

ABC owns this night and NBC has done quite well with Unsolved Mysteries.  While Dave's World, the show's lead-in has proven successful in the past, it is now facing an unproven time period

Expect to Hear

“Don't Tell your Mother”

- Ray (after moving around his twin kids in an attempt to confuse his daughter and then forgetting which one is which himself)

Premise

Former Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula stars as an agent for a company specializing in detection and protection.  For security reasons. Bakula's character is known simple as "Mr. Smith."  "Mrs. Smith" is a mysterious spy willing to work for anyone that will meet her fee.  Together they will deal with their mutual attraction and differences while performing missions for their mysterious employer

Familiar Faces

Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap)

Our Take

Faces tough competition from established Dateline as well as ABC's winning night of comedy

Expect to Hear

“He was a good man who fell victim to his own greed...and he'll be punished for it.  You did what you had to”

- Mr. Smith's Employer (describing Mr. Smith's role in defeating a double agent)

Premise

What if tomorrow's newspaper were to arrive at your doorstep today?  Gary Hobson finds himself answering this question in this Twilight Zone inspired drama.  As with other similar programs (such as the recent short-lived Strange Luck on FOX), Gary decides to use his gift to help others instead of as a way to improve his own life

Familiar Faces

Kyle Chandler (Homefront) as Gary Hobson, Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit) as Chuck

Our Take

Assisted by strong dramas at 8pm (Dr. Quinn) and 10pm (Walker) this show should have no problem drawing away the drama crowd from NBC's offering.  Furthermore, both Coach and Married...with Children are aging shows facing new time slots

Expect to Hear

“Magic's like life - mostly unexpected, which means newspaper or not, you can never be sure what's around the corner...but what you'll do when you find it”

- Chuck/Narrator