ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996 TAG: 9601100009
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL E. HILL THE WASHINGTON POST
Two broadcast networks check in this week with noteworthy new series.
NBC's ``3rd Rock From the Sun'' (Tuesday night at 8:30) stars John Lithgow as the leader of aliens who take on human form and set out to learn about earthlings. The human Lithgow is most interested in is Jane Curtin.
Before you laugh this sitcom off, remember that other alien-oriented shows have succeeded, such as ``Alf,'' due back soon as a movie. Of course, many others have failed. But if anyone can pull this off, it's Lithgow, who made a cult hit of the film ``Harry and the Hendersons.''
Writer-producer Gary David Goldberg, who gave TV ``Family Ties,'' returns from hiatus with ``Champs,'' revolving around a group of guys who, like Goldberg, were members of a championship basketball team two decades ago. The show inherits the ``Coach'' timeslot Tuesday night at 9:30. (ABC says ``Coach'' will return later on.) Timothy Busfield and Ashley Crow star.
LENGTH: Short : 27 linesby CNB