With this momentary break in the feverish hype for the ratings-intensive May "sweeps" period, I'll take this opportunity to call your attention to a few shows that - judging from the Nielsen ratings - you've probably overlooked.
"The Byrds of Paradise," which airs Thursdays on ABC, apparently is already a goner, as it isn't on the network's fall schedule. But it's an intelligent, good-natured little family show that stars Tim Busfield ("thirtysomething") as a widower school headmaster in Hawaii. It's a horse from the Stephen Bochco stables, Bochco being the creator of "NYPD Blue," "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law." It isn't worth missing "The Simpsons" for, but it's worth taping to see later."South Central," which airs Tuesday nights on Fox, ranked a dismal 84th out of 87 shows in last week's Nielsens. That's a tragedy, because this series is sharp, funny, and may be the most realistic depiction of life in a low-income neighborhood - south central Los Angeles - ever seen on TV.
Tina Lifford plays a single mother trying to raise three children, having already lost one to gang violence. She's great, and the rest of the cast is just as good. The show might remind you of "Frank's Place," Tim Reid's classic CBS series, not because both deal with black American issues but because both successfully combine drama and comedy.
Of course, that formula can be the kiss of death for ratings, and "South Central" is in the basement. It deserves to be seen.
"The George Carlin Show" (Sundays on Fox) is hanging in there, but the ratings drop considerably from "Married . . . with Children" to "Carlin" - which is probably why Fox is airing two "Married" episodes back-to-back later this month - making me think Carlin is too cerebral for some "Married" fans. Of course, "Barney and Friends" is too cerebral for - oh, never mind.
Though the Fox comedy is still rough around the edges, Carlin is consistently good, often rising above the material.