By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

What's new

Joan of Arcadia (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7) Amber Tamblyn (daughter of Russ, West Side Story, Twin Peaks) stars as Joan, who is visited by God in the form of a hunky teenage boy and a cafeteria lady. He gives her cryptic orders, and allows no questions. ("Let's just say I need you to do some errands," he says.) This is a big burden on young Joan, who doesn't tell her dad the police chief (Joe Montegna), mom (Mary Steenburgen), or brothers (Michael Welch and Jason Ritter, John Ritter's son). The stalker subplot is too dark for young viewers accustomed to Touched by an Angel, but overall Joan shows promise. Can they keep it up? Let us pray.

Miss Match (8 p.m., Channels 5, 22) Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and producer Darren Star (Sex and the City) team up for a delightful light drama about a divorce lawyer with a knack for matchmaking. It's just a hobby, until newspaper publicity makes it a problem. "I'm a divorce lawyer. A (butt) kicker. People can't think of me as some romantic softie," she says. Silverstone seems perfect for the role; the same can't be said about Ryan O'Neal (as her father), whose acting hasn't improved since Love Story. Looks like NBC has found the right match to replace Providence.

Hope & Faith (9 p.m., Channels 9, 2) Here's the one show to watch tonight, because it's so bad. Even fans of Kelly Ripa (Live with Regis, All My Children) and Faith Ford (Murphy Brown) will be mystified at how two talented, funny women are stuck in such a stupid, contrived show. Ripa plays Faith, the fired soap diva who moves in with her sister's (Ford) family. Faith doesn't have a brain in her head about cooking, driving, discipline or kitchen attire. Despite ABC's intense promotion, this could be the colossal flop of fall.

The Handler (10 p.m., Channels 12, 7) Emmy-winner Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos) stars in this clever drama as the FBI agent who trains officers for undercover assignments. Viewers must watch closely, because it's not always clear what's a real sting or a training exercise. But it's fun to watch.

Season premieres

George Lopez (8 p.m., Channels 9, 2) George commits a felony preparing for a presidential visit.

JAG (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7) Harm and Mac (David James Elliott, Catherine Bell) pursue terrorists in Paraguay.

Life with Bonnie (9:30 p.m., Channels 9, 2) David (David Alan Grier) moves in with Bonnie.

Boomtown (10 p.m., Channels 5, 22) Vanessa Williams joins the cast by helping to arrest burglars who killed two police officers.

VCR alert

WKRP in Cincinnati (midnight-2 a.m., TV Land) TV Land salutes Gordon Jump, who died Monday, with four episodes starting with the Thanksgiving "turkey drop." Four more air midnight Saturday.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com