New and familiar faces for the fall TV season

Jet, Sept 15, 2003

The month of September marks the official beginning of fall, which means that it's time for the major networks to unveil the season's new and returning TV shows.

This fall the women are doing their thing by headlining their own sitcoms and working behind the scenes. Veteran comedienne/actress Whoopi Goldberg (who in a recent commercial said she put the "N" back in NBC) stars in her own show "Whoopi" as Mavis Rae, a former singer turned hotel owner. Wren T. Brown co-stars as her brother Courtney, who is staying at the hotel as a guest.

Grammy-winning rapper-turned-actress Eve stars in her own self-titled sitcom on the UPN network as Shelly, a single, modern-day woman trying to find harmony between her love life and career. The show also includes Natalie Desselle, Brian Hooks and Jason George.

Returning to FOX, this time for its first full season, is "Wanda At Large," featuring comedienne Wanda Sykes, who plays a tell-it-like-it-is TV correspondent. Last year the comedy premiered during the middle of the season and was later picked up due to its high ratings. Other cast members include Phil Morris, Dale Godboldo, Jurnee Smollett and Robert Barley, Jr.

One of the most anticipated shows this season on UPN is produced by Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband Will Smith. "All of Us," based loosely on the famous couple's real-life situation, stars Duane Martin, LisaRaye, Elise Neal, Khamani Griffin and Tony Rock.

The men are leaving their mark in Hollywood as well. This fall three of the funniest Brothers in comedy will star in their own shows. Steve Harvey, one of the original Kings of Comedy, returns to the WB as the host of "Steve Harvey's Big Time," a variety/talk show that showcases regular folks with unique talents.

Anthony Anderson takes a break from the movie scene to star in "All About The Andersons" on the WB network. The show about a single father who moves back home while he pursues an acting career also includes John Amos, Roz Ryan, and Damani Roberts.

Scheduled to appear on NBC later this fall is "Saturday Night Live" veteran Tracy Morgan in the "The Tracy Morgan Show." The comedy, based loosely around Morgan, follows the life of a Brooklyn family man pursuing happiness. Actors John Witherspoon, Tamala Jones, Marc John Jefferies and Dwight Myers (a.k.a. Heavy D) are also part of the cast.

ABC's lineup of new shows this season features three Black male actors in leading or recurring roles.

Ernie Hudson portrays veteran cop Henry Barnes on the police drama "10-8." Bill Duke is in pursuit of dangerous criminals on the Gold Coast of Miami in the drama "Karen Sisco," and Mahershalalhashbaz All joins the cast of "Threat Matrix" to keep America safe from the many faces of terror.

Hill Harper and Tanya Wright are the new kids on the block in the latest CBS drama "The Handler." Both are members of a secret agent team that goes deep under cover to solve crimes in L.A.

On NBC James Lesure and Marsha Thomason play members of an elite surveillance team responsible for securing one of "Sin City's" largest casinos in "Las Vegas." Also debuting on the peacock network is the "Lyon's Den," co-starring James Pickens, Jr. The drama centers around a 150-year-old D.C. law firm that may be hiding some dark secrets.

Don't forget "Rock Me Baby," a comedy on UPN co-starring Carl Anthony Payne, which deals with parenting from the perspective of a radio shock jock. "Jake 2.0," also on UPN, is a show about a computer geek with super-human powers, co. starring Judith Scott.

Rounding out this season's list of new shows is the WB's "Like Family" featuring Holly Robinson Peete. The comedy, also starring J. Anthony Brown, Kevin Michael Richardson, Megalyn Echikunwoke and B.J. Mitchell, focuses on two families, one Black and one White, who live together under one roof.

Yes, changes have been made, but don't fret. Several programs showcasing Blacks in prominent roles on prime-time TV are making a comeback.

ABC's returning shows include "My Wife & Kids" with Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell Martin, Jennifer Nicole Freeman, George O. Gore II and Parker McKenna Posey; "Alias" with Carl Lumbly and Merrin Dungey; "Less Than Perfect," co-starring Sherri Shepherd; "NYPD Blue" featuring Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Henry Simmons; and "The Practice" with Steve Harris.

Returning to CBS are Gary Dourdan in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"; Khandi Alexander in "CSI: Miami"; Andre Braugher in "Hack"; Marianne Jean-Baptiste returns to "Without A Trace"; Richard T. Jones revisits "Judging Amy"; and Sean Patrick Thomas and Roger Aaron Brown are back in "The District."

NBC remains faithful to its best shows including "Friends," which brings back Aisha Tyler for a few more romantic scenes; "ER," co-starring Mekhi Phifer and Sharif Atkins; "The West Wing" with Dule Hill; "Law & Order," co-starring S. Epatha Merkerson and Jesse L. Martin; "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" with Courtney B. Vance; "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," co-starring Ice-T; "Boomtown" with Mykelti Williamson and new cast member Vanessa L. Williams; "Scrubs" featuring Donald Faison; and "Third Watch" co-starring Michael Beach, Coby Bell and new cast member Nia Long.