NOT ONLY DO the networks add new shows to their schedules every fall, but there are always some changes on returning shows - new cast members, new situations, changes in plot and focus.
Here, then, is what you can expect from some of your old favorites:America's Most Wanted: Producers plan more segments on criminals who've been captured after being profiled on the show.
Baby Talk: Everything's different except for the baby and the voice of Tony Danza. Mary Page Keller is the new mom, Maggie, who's moving to a new apartment. Scott Baio is the new building superintendent/songwriter/love interest. And expect to see lots of Maggie's mom.
Blossom: Barnard Hughes joins the cast as Blossom's grandfather.
Coach: The coach's team is finally a success - expect a Top 25 ranking and a bowl bid. However, his daughter gets a divorce and his engagement doesn't culminate in marriage anytime soon.
The Cosby Show: The Huxtables will be building an addition onto their house. Denise (Lisa Bonet) and Martin (Joseph C. Phillips) have been written out - a naval officer, he's transferred to Asia - but young Olivia remains. And Vanessa gets a steady boyfriend.
Dear John: William O' Leary ("Hot Shots") joins the cast as Ben, a transplanted Montanan who works at the Rego Park Community Center. John's second child will be born (the mother is his ex-wife).
Designing Women: As has been well-publicized, Delta Burke (Suzanne) has been dumped, and Jean Smart (Charlene) is quitting after the first two episodes. Julia Duffy ("Newhart") joins the cast as a spoiled Sugarbaker cousin Allison, and Jan Hooks ("Saturday Night Live") comes aboard as Charlene's sister Carlene.
A Different World: Whitley will be a dorm resident director, and she'll have an answer to Dwayne's marriage proposal. He's a graduate student and student teacher. Jade Pincket joines the cast as a freshman from the Baltimore projects. Ron (Darryl Bell) is still trying to graduate, and Jaleesa opens a temporary employment agency.
Dinosaurs: Producers promise to try to appeal to adults more, and the look of the show will be lighter and less cave-like. And - best of all - the annoying laugh track will be eliminated.
Doogie Howser, M.D.: Our young prodigy, now 18, is going to lose his virginity this season. And he and Vinnie will move into an apartment together as sort of a new Odd Couple.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air: Expect Will to get both a job and a girlfriend.
The Golden Girls: Rose (Betty White) will get engaged to her longtime boyfriend.
Growing Pains: Leonardo DiCaprio joins the cast as a homeless teenage boy befriended by Mike (Kirk Cameron).
In Living Color: A couple of new regulars have joined the cast - Jaime Fox and Steve Parks - and you'll see them performing on a new set.
Knots Landing: Among the myriad plot developments: the show will once again center more on the cul-de-sac; Gary will go broke; Greg, Kate and Paige all get new love interests; Karen goes on trial; and a relatively major character will be killed in the third episode.
L.A. Law: Kuzak (Harry Hamlin) and Sifuentes (Jimmy Smits) are gone, but Arnie's new secretary, Gwen (Sheila Kelley) is now a regular. Three new lawyers join the firm as featured players: Susan Bloom (Conchata Ferrell) is an entertainment attorney; Frank Kittredge (Michael Cumpsty) is a "killer litigator"; and Billy Castroverti (Tom Verica) is a young associate.
Law & Order: George Dzundza, who played Sgt. Max Greevey, has quit the series. He's being replaced by Paul Sorvino, who'll play a different but similar character. Carolyn McCormick also joins the cast in the recurring role of psychiatrist Elizabeth Olivet, and another undetermined female character will be added later.
Life Goes On: The family's restaurant burns down in the season opener, and Chad Lowe joins the cast on a semi-regular basis as a teen with AIDS.
Married . . . With Children: Peg is pregnant - and she decides to devote her life to the new baby.
Murder, She Wrote: Jessica (Angela Lansbury) takes a teaching job at Manhattan University, meaning lots of episodes will take place in New York. There will also be more younger guest stars, and Lansbury will appear as the main character in all of this year's episodes.
Murphy Brown: In last season's cliffhanger, we learned Murphy is pregnant, but we don't know if the father is her ex-husband or her sometimes boyfriend, Jerry Gold. Series producers aren't talking, but promise all will be resolved in the show's one-hour season premiere. (The unconfirmed rumor is that we're going to pick up almost nine months after the cliffhanger.) Also, Corky's husband finishes his novel and becomes a big success - overshadowing Corky. And Frank competes for the attentions of Miles' sometimes girlfriend, Audrey.
Night Court: Never fear, Dan will return. Harry and Christine will resolve their romance, and wedding bells are in Bull's future.
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill: Ed Asner joins the cast as a crusty, conservative L.A.P.D. veteran who becomes an investigator for the public defender's office.
Who's the Boss?: After all these years, expect the romance between Tony and Angela to finally take off.
Wings: This sitcom ended last season with a cliffhanger: Helen broke off her romance with Joe and fled to New York to become a professional cellist. When the series returns, it's 10 months later and Joe and Brian are off to rescue Helen - and Joe has a big surprise for her. Also, Tony Shalhoub joins the cast as an incorrigibly romantic Italian cabbie.
The Wonder Years: Kevin will get his driver's license and date several different girls.
The Young Riders: The whole cast is moving to a new Pony Express station.