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Show Sunday, November I. m The Daily Herald. Prowi. V'uk - TV 41 Ted Danson is cranky doctor 'Becker' in new CBS comedy By Jay Bobbin, Tribune Media Services The doctor is in, and not everyone is happy about it, Comforting bedside manners Dan-so- n go out the window as Ted returns to series TV in 'Becker," a CBS comedy Monday (9:30 p.m. ET). The title character is a Bronx physician who takes every chance to express everything he feels is wrong with today's world, even if no one else cares to often gets on his soapbox at a diner near his medical practice, though he's attracted to the eatery's new owner (played by Terry Farrell). Back at the office, his head nurse (Hattie Winston) and his somewhat spacey nurses' aide (Shawnee Smith) deal with his frequent rants while getting their jobs done. Since CBS had slated it for "Becker" is making debut, an replacing the cancelled "Brian Benben Show." Ironically, it's in the same slot where CBS aired Danson's previous show, "Ink" g (which teamed the "Cheers" alumnus with his listen-Becke- r n, Emmy-winnin- wife, Mary Steenburgen). "I thought was through with television," Danson recalls of his feeling. "I was defi nitely through with CBS and w ith comedy. It was the typical kind of actor thing, an emotional reaction. Then, in came this amazing script that read like an hour show instead of a half-ho- half-hour- ." Creator and executive producer Dave Hackel ("Wings") admits it's chancy to build "Becker" around a character some viewers may dislike from the outset. "It's much like a minefield," he allows. "As you walk across it, some thing seems a little more sensitive than others. We got to the point in comedy where you couldn't write about anything without offending someone, and it got a little silly. "I did a show once where we made a joke about a massage therapist, and the National Association of Massage Therapists called the next morning. They didn't like that. A couple of years ago on 'Frasier,' we did a joke about someone ordering a mailorder bride from a certain country. Their embassy called the next morning. They didn't like that. I was so frustrated, it was time to just write about everything and let the chips fall where they may." Danson seems unconcerned that viewers may resist his playing someone who isn't nearly as warm and fuzzy as usual. "1 think we can go farther with 'Becker' if my image is basically that of a nice guy," he reasons. "Then, people will probably sit around for at least the first part. Maybe we can make use of the years of 'Cheers' that way. I don't know." 1 1 A ill The singing star performs many of her hits on the new A&E special "Live by Re- quest Starring Gloria Tuesday, Nov, 3 p.m. ET). Este-fan- ," (9-1- 1 post-"ln- Windshields! Save up to $120.00 Glass Act will waive up to $120.00 of your Insurance Deductible, Free Mobile Service & Free State Safety Inspection. Call for Details. Act Glass Salt Lake 5338844Utah Proudly Swing 373-872- 6 Area Ogden 392-1072 for Ovtr 10 Ytm! |