Networks are vying for viewers with new programming like "The Ainsley Harriott Show," produced by Merv Griffin, left, and already successful shows like ABC's "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," right

Web posted on: Monday, January 10, 2000 4:42:08 PM

(CNN) -- Hold on to your remote. It's that time of year again.

More than 20 new television shows are premiering this winter, hoping to lure audiences away from now-familiar fall fare.

Steven Bochco has a new hospital drama, "City of Angels," on CBS. He'll also witness the season premiere of his cop drama, "NYPD Blue," which is kicking off its seventh year on ABC.

"It's very smart that ABC brought it back, because it's better this year than it was last year," says Mary Murphy of TV Guide.

At UPN, veteran film director Barry Levinson ("Wag the Dog," "Bugsy," "Rain Man") pulls the producer strings on "The Beat."

"When I find something that I can really sink my teeth into, it's exciting to be able to tell different kinds of stories," says Levinson.

Look for David Spade, who stars in NBC's "Just Shoot Me," to pull double-duty for the network with "Sammy," an animated show based loosely on Spade's relationship with his dad.

Networks are betting on the continued success of prime-time game shows, as FOX puts its money on "Greed" against ABC's fall phenomenon "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" and NBC's "21."

But if game show thrills aren't for you, perhaps chills are. NBC unveils the sci-fi drama "The Others," from a couple of former "X-Files" producers.

"We move into demonology, into telekineses, into any kind of paranormal manifestation," says John Brancato, co-creator and executive producer of the show. "Anything that basically is denied by a lot of people as reality is fair game for our show."

Teen angst is fair game in the WB's "Brutally Normal," while family dynamics take center stage in FOX's "Malcolm in the Middle."

"To me, it was like a 'Wonder Years' on its side. It's just skewed enough to go 'Oh,'" says Bryan Cranston, who stars in "Malcolm."

And skewed is exactly what's offered in FOX's "Titus."

"Normal is something that everybody else is. It's not something that we are," says Stacy Keach, who plays Ken Titus on the show.

British comic TV chef Ainsley Harriott cooks up an entertainment melange in a syndicated talk show, "The Ainsley Harriott Show," produced by Merv Griffin.

So whatever the taste, mid-season's got something for every palate.