Fall Series

You want three hours of good TV? Watch "Marathon Man" on Cinemax, then switch to "NYPD Blue" on ABC.* "Saved By the Bell: The College Years" (8-9 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- The best news of the night: This is the last first-run network episode of this brain-dead series, which has proven so insufferably inane it makes "Archie" look like "Ulysses." Its retreat from the network schedule indicates that maybe, just maybe, taste and justice prevail on TV after all. NBC.* "Full House" (8-8:30 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13)

SUNDAY GWAR: The thrash-metal band from Richmond, Va., has been around so long that its original intent as a satirical band with punk roots has given way to a louder, heavier outfit with a strong cult fan base. The group is now known more for its outlandish and somewhat horrifying costumes than its musical stylings and lyrics. It hits the stage at Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Go to ticketmaster.com. STREET BEAT FESTIVAL: This Federal Hill community festival includes activities for the little ones, a new area for dogs on leashes and live music from Cold Cold Heartbreakers, Digital Elvis, School of Rock All Stars, Psycho Killers and many more from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free.

George Foreman's acting is almost good enough for 30-second snack food and muffler commercials. But the former heavyweight champ definitely does not have the stuff to star in a 30-minute, weekly sitcom.Yet that's what will be taking place, starting tonight at 8:30 on WJZ (Channel 13) with the debut of "George."There is no gentle way to say this: "George" is a mess, and I hope ABC will have the brains to cancel it fast.The sitcom stars Mr. Foreman as George Foster, a rich and retired boxer who spends most of his time sitting in his easy chair, eating snack foods, watching TV and browsing through catalogs.

OK, it has been half a season. Isn't it time to say that "Designing Women" just isn't as funny without Delta Burke and Jean Smart? Media Monitor wants to hear from readers about the show, which can be seen at 9:30 tonight on Channel 11.To recap: After a season of turmoil involving Burke on and off the set, some of it centering on her weight problems, Burke departed the show. Her character, Suzanne Sugarbaker, is supposedly off living in Japan.Smart, the sweet Southerner Charlene, also left the show for family reasons, after having a baby.

CBS is hoping that the mayor of Baltimore is ready for prime time. The network is not banking on Martin O'Malley, or at least, not exactly. For Mayor of Baltimore, a show he's pitching to CBS, executive producer David Mills envisions an ex-professional athlete who is a populist political neophyte with blue-collar roots. Network spokesman Chris Ender confirmed that CBS has signed a contract to produce a pilot for the proposed show. But that pilot will be taped later this month only if Mills and his collaborators at Spelling Entertainment are able to land a well-known actor for the title role, someone acceptable to CBS. So far, Alec Baldwin has already turned down the part, according to people involved in the project.

It's a night of firsts: "Baywatch," "The John Larroquette Show" and "Saturday Night Live" offer season premieres, and two new hTC series also make their debut, including "Baywatch Nights" in syndication and "The Home Court" on NBC.*"Baywatch" (6 p.m.-7 p.m., WNUV, Channel 54) -- As Maxwell Smart used to say, would you believe this is the world's most popular television show? The syndicated series about lifeguards in California -- sometimes called "Babewatch" or "Bodywatch" -- is seen in more than 100 countries and launches a new season with David Hasselhoff continuing as beach boss.

The best thing on TV tonight is the hearings -- and I'm not talking about Whitewater. It's the Watergate hearings, part of the territory covered on tonight's installment of "Watergate" on the Discovery Channel.* "Dave's World" (8:30-9 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Here's the story / of a star from "Brady" / who shows up as a guest star on "Dave's World" . . . It's Florence Henderson of "The Brady Bunch," who here plays the pushy mother of Dave's wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews). CBS repeat.* "Murphy Brown" (9-9:30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11)

Jeff Eyring, the regional vice president for the Norwood Industrial Construction Company, is the chairman of logistics for the upcoming Cadillac Columbus Cup Regatta 1991, Oct. 6 to 12, at Harborview Marina and Yacht Club. This regatta will attract America's Cup racers and other world-class sailors. He andhis wife, Kathy, will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday. They have three children, Charlotte, Peter and Andrew.How would you describe your taste in clothing?Conservative and very functional.

Who says they don't make quality television shows anymore? Voting members of Viewers for Quality Television, a national advocacy group, have found seven new series worthy of consideration for endorsement this season.In the latest VQT survey, taken last month, respondents nominated these new shows onto the organization's Tentative Support List: "Evening Shade" (CBS), "Gabriel's Fire" (ABC), "Law & Order" (NBC), "Lifestories" (NBC), "Northern Exposure" (an expected NBC mid-season replacement)

LOYOLA College professor Dr. Robert Wicks will be the first speaker in The Joannes Series of lectures and seminars for separated, widowed and divorced people. Wicks will speak on self-acceptance and self-appreciation. The lecture begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mercy High School. Also in the fall series are: Oct. 28, "From Loneliness to Love," Fr. Christopher Witt; Nov. 11, "Dawn After Darkness," Fr. Martin Padovani; and Nov. 25, "Surviving the Holidays" Dorothy Levesque. A $4 donation is requested for each workshop; child care is available for those who request it by Wednesday before the lecture.