Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 28, 1992 TAG: 9203280356
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Usually a smattering of these advance notices come out before the networks announce their fall lineups in May. But this year seems to be different.
CBS has given a whopping two-season pickup to the quirky and popular comedy-drama "Northern Exposure" and to "Evening Shade," the second-season sitcom from Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason that stars Emmy winner Burt Reynolds.
A less-than-enthusiastic vote of confidence was given to "Knots Landing," the last official prime-time soap that's now in its 13th (and some thought final) season on CBS.
The cast of the cul-de-sac gang is expected to return, with the possible exception of Joan Van Ark, who plays Valene Ewing. Van Ark has filmed a pilot for NBC called "Spin Doctors," about a public relations firm, and undoubtedly will leave if NBC gives the show a spot on its fall schedule.
NBC ordered two more seasons of "Empty Nest," the Witt-Harris-Thomas comedy starring Richard Mulligan as a pediatrician still raising his two grown daughters, played by Dinah Manoff and Kristy McNichol.
In addition, NBC has picked up "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and the first-season sitcom "Nurses" for another year. "Nurses" is another Witt-Harris-Thomas production.
But the Peacock Network passed on another venerable Witt-Harris-Thomas show, "The Golden Girls," which is being redesigned into a new comedy called "Golden Palace," with the saucy stars operating a small hotel in Miami. The change was necessitated by the expected departure of weary Bea Arthur, who plans to spend a quiet year or two in Scotland.
NBC offered the revamped show - which will star remaining "Golden Girls" Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty - a 13-episode commitment, but the producers wanted at least a 22-episode deal. NBC said, "No deal," so the producers shopped the new program elsewhere, and CBS announced that it has picked up "Golden Palace." It is the second time this year the network has acquired an NBC show ("In the Heat of the Night" was picked up a couple of months ago).
ABC, meanwhile, has announced pickups for "The Commish," a low-rated police drama; the popular "Family Matters"; and long-running hits "Full House" and "Perfect Strangers."
Fox Broadcasting has given an unprecedented 60-episode (2 1/2 seasons) pickup to its red-hot teen drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," the highest-rated show among young viewers.
by CNB