Or if your show has been promoted constantly for two weeks during the Summer Olympics.

        But NBC's charming new Ed proves worthy of the hype, unlike the WB's two debuts tonight.

        • Ed (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22): Finally we meet TV's first “bowling alley lawyer.”

        Ed Stevens (Tom Cavanagh, Providence) really doesn't like the phrase. But he does operate a law practice inside a bowling alley in his hometown of Stuckeyville, Ohio, in this lighthearted drama from David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Inc.

        He's trying to reconnect with the past after being fired by a big Manhattan law firm and finding his wife sleeping with the mail carrier.

        First on his list is a date with his old high school crush, Carol (Julie Bowen, Happy Gilmore, ER), now a teacher.

        “There's only one way to get the girl. You make a complete (jerk) of yourself,” says Ed, before climbing into a suit of armor and interrupting her English literature class.

        This picturesque postcard town will remind viewers of Northern Exposure's Cicely, Alaska. The population includes Nancy and Mike (Jana Marie Hupp; Josh Randall), a new mother and her physician husband; Molly (Lesley Boone), a biology teacher at Carol's school; and wacky Phil (Michael Ian Black), who works (and lives) at Stuckey Bowl.

        Phil came up with the idea of free legal advice for anyone who bowls three games. He's the guy who calls his boss “Ed Dershowitz,” and screams “Here comes the judge!” into the bowling alley microphone.

        Viewers expect the crazy stuff from Mr. Letterman's writers, but the sweet, infectious Ed-Carol relationship is the surprise of this season.

        “You kissed the guy, and he bought a bowling alley,” Molly tells Carol. “You're lucky you didn't sleep with him, or he would have bought a strip mall.”

        Ed is a pure delight. The only problem is the time slot. But The Simpsons won't return until Nov. 5, so you'll have a chance to see TV's new Mr. Ed.

        • Hype (10 p.m., Channel 64): Mix Laugh-In with In Living Color, and you'll get something that looked like WB's new sketch comedy show. Hype won't be as funny as those two, but it would look like them.

        Former MAD TV writers Scott King, Lanier Laney and Terry Sweeney created this prime-time sketch show starring 10 comedians.

        The Hype preview provided TV critics was filled with feeble attempts at spoofing Bryant Gumbel, American Beauty, MTV's Spring Break, Regis Philbin's Who Wants to be a Millionaire and other game shows. Did I mention the Dead Hollywood Squares with panelists Chris Farley, Princess Di and Paul Lynde?

        Since In Living Color signed off in 1994, no sketch show has survived in prime-time. This one won't either.

        • Nikki (10:30 p.m., Channel 64): It's the ultimate fantasy for WB's young male viewers: A pro wrestler (newcomer Nick von Esmarch) married to sexy Nikki Cox (Norm, Unhappily Ever After), playing a scantily clad Las Vegas showgirl.

        Viewers not offended by the ample breast jokes will find a touching, blue-collar romance between Nikki and Dwight. (Mr. von Esmarch, a newcomer, looks like Rick Schroder's younger, heavier brother.) Everything is peachy, except for Dwight's mother (Christine Estabrook, Titus), who wants him to go to college.

        Creator Bruce Helford's experience producing Drew Carey musical numbers, and Ms. Cox's dance background (on Paula Abdul and Michael Jackson videos), inspired the decision to open each show with a cheesy Las Vegas musical production. Tonight's Godzilla number is OK, but an upcoming Marie Antoinette dance routine will make you laugh your head off.

Returning shows

        Season premieres air today for Touched by an Angel (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7), The Practice (10 p.m., Channels 9, 2) and Masterpiece Theatre with the first of a three-week Oliver Twist (9 p.m., Channels 48, 54, 16).

        WB's entire Sunday lineup also returns: Jamie Foxx (8 p.m., Channel 64), For Your Love (8:30), Steve Harvey (9),and The PJs (9:30).

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