Saturday, September 08, 1984

THREE'S A CROWD After eight seasons, John Ritter gets some new playmates as Three's Company undergoes a metamorphosis. In the sequel series, Ritter falls hard for Mary Cadorette, whose disapproving father, Robert Mandan, tries to sabotage their relationship. (Sept. 25, CBC at 7:30 and ABC at 8:30 p.m.) E. R.

Elliott Gould makes his series debut as Dr. Howard Sheinfeld, a ear-nose- and- throat man who is forced by an expensive divorce into moonlighting in the emergency room of a vast Chicago hospital. Helping Gould serve up the mixture of drama and laughs are Conchata Ferrell as a no-nonsense RN, Lynne Moody as a dedicated young nurse, and Shuko Akune as an eye-catching receptionist. (Premieres with a special one-hour show Sunday, Sept. 16, Global and CBS at 8 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. thereafter) THE CONSTITUTION: THAT DELICATE BALANCE Journalists, professors, lawyers and politicians take part in heated discussions about individual rights and liberties in the U.S., with Fred Friendly acting as commentator and referee. (PBS at 10 p.m.) PAPER DOLLS Morgan Fairchild and Brenda Vaccaro clash as two hard-driving women battling for success in the glitzy world of high fashion. When they're not sharpening their claws on each other, they take on greedy agents, snippy photographers, manipulating tycoons and gorgeous models - of both sexes - who'll stop at nothing to make it. Lloyd Bridges co-stars as a New York millionaire, while Jennifer Warren and Terri Farrell are two more beautiful creatures stalking the velvet jungle. Paper Dolls sounds like a sure thing. (Sept. 18, Ch. 11 and ABC at 9 p.m.) JESSIE Lindsay Wagner, the Bionic Woman, returns to series television as Dr. Jessie Hayden, staff psychiatrist with a metropolitan police department. While the producers were hoping to avoid the cliches of the cop-action genre, the premiere episode has Wagner in jeopardy while shielding a young prostitute sought by a hit man. Jessie will have a tough duel with Remington Steele for survival. Helping the show's prospects are Tony Lo Bianco as Lt. Alex Ascoli and Celeste Holm as Molly. Premieres with a two- hour episode Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. (Ch. 11 and ABC at 10 p.m.) THE ADVENTURES OF BLACK BEAUTY Anna Sewell's beloved classic has been turned into a treat for small fry and easygoing adults. The turn-of-the- century household of Dr. James Gordon (William Lucas) is thrown into turmoil, adventure and drama with the arrival of a magnificent black stallion. As usual with British television, the country settings (around Hertfordshire) are lush and the photography is superb. (Oct. 2, TVO at 7 p.m.) PROFILES IN NATURE Yet another documentary series explores our wild and woolly world. (Sept. 25, Global at 8 p.m.) BLESS THIS HOUSE The British Comedy House series continues with this farcical look at the generation gap, starring Sidney James. (MTV at 11 p.m.; Thursdays at the same time.) RETURNING SERIES Alex Barris and Ron Base launch their second series of THE MOVIE SHOW with a contest for viewers want to be film critics. Details will be given on the premiere show. (Oct. 9, TVO at 10 p.m.); Everett Banning and Peter Newman return for weekly looks at the Canadian business scene in EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS (Sept. 25, TVO at 10:30 p.m.); NOVA premieres with the National Science Test (Oct. 16, PBS at 8 p.m.); Judy Woodruff is back as anchor of FRONTLINE (Oct. 9, PBS at 9 p.m.); FOUL-UPS, BLEEPS AND BLUNDERS (Sept. 25, ABC, 8 p.m.); AFTERMASH (Sept. 25, CBS at 8 p.m.); THE A TEAM (Sept. 25, Ch. 11 and NBC at 8 p.m.); RIPTIDE (CTV and NBC at 9 p.m.); REMINGTON STEELE (Sept. 25, CBC at 9 p.m. and NBC at 10 p.m.); SMITH AND SMITH (Oct. 16, Ch. 11 at 7:30 p.m.); ST. ELSEWHERE (Sept. 25, Global at 10 p.m.); FACTS OF LIFE (Ch. 3 at 7 p.m.); NEW WILDERNESS (Sept.25, CTV at 7:30 p.m.); Eric Malling, Bob McKeown and Hana Gartner return with THE FIFTH ESTATE (Sept. 25, CBC at 8 p.m.)