Picket Fences

Those lucky enough to have New Jersey's WOR on their cable system can pull out the love beads and watch "The Mod Squad" every day. The rest of us, unfortunately, may have to make due with this afternoon's showing of the 1979 reunion movie.* "Step by Step" (11:30 a.m.-noon, WBFF, Channel 45) -- Here's your chance to see Elizabeth Berkley, whose naked body was the star of "Showgirls," without having to sit through two hours of bad cinema. Rated G.* "World Professional Figure Skating Championships" (8 p.m.-10 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11)

"Homicide" is back! But tonight also marks a notable departure, as anchor Robert MacNeil retires from the nightly PBS news desk. Baltimore's Alan Keyes is also profiled in a new series looking at the 1996 presidential hopefuls.* "MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour" (6 p.m.-7 p.m., MPT, Channels 22, 67) -- Title namesake Robert MacNeil makes his last appearance, and a nostalgic special edition marks his departure -- as well as the 20th anniversary of the program. Next week, the show becomes merely "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

Awkwardness in relationships dominates the sitcom lineup early tonight, while Maryland Public Television looks southward in a documentary about community activism and murdered singer Selena's husband speaks on cable.* "Dweebs" (8 p.m.-8:30 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- Warren (Peter Scolari) is unwittingly on the spot in a steal from "Cyrano de Bergerac." Carrie (Farrah Forke) has been sharing romantic messages with a girl on the Internet -- posing as Warren. Now the girl wants to meet him. CBS.* "Family Matters" (8 p.m.-8:30 pm., WMAR, Channel 2)

Three new CBS series and a syndicated show bring back stars from the past. Meanwhile, PBS delivers a show no parent should miss, "Listening to Children: A Moral Journey with Robert Coles." Season openers also air for "The X-Files," "Family Matters," "Step By Step," "Picket Fences" and "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper."* "Strange Luck" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) Last week's premiere made this quirky show about a photographer worth watching to see how things develop. Tonight, Chance (D. B. Sweeney)

The guest players offer the most interest in a trio of series repeats, while Barbara Walters scores another "get" in the competitive magazine show game and a Maryland poet takes to the national spotlight on PBS.* "Diagnosis Murder" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- This repeat offers a three-generation tableau, as regulars Dick and Barry Van Dyke, father and son, are joined by grandson Carey, as a surfer. Pernell Roberts and Dyan Cannon also guest. CBS.* "Tales From the Crypt" (8 p.m.-8:30 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45)

Tonight's recommended lineup is simple, yet exciting: "VR.5" at 8, "The X-Files" at 9, "Picket Fences" at 10. Three excellent series; three new episodes. With "VR.5," since it's the premiere, you can't get any newer.* "VR.5." (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Make plans to watch, and to tape, this new series, because after a few weeks -- when the series really launches into high gear and gets darker and stranger -- you may not only be hooked, but be wanting to go back and ferret out clues from earlier episodes.

A lot of programs are taking a breather tonight after straining to offer so many first-run episodes during the February sweeps. "Picket Fences"? A repeat. "The X-Files"? A repeat. "Homicide: Life on the Street"? An original -- which makes tonight's best bet an easy call.* "M.A.N.T.I.S." (8-9 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Apparently, not even a praying "M.A.N.T.I.S." could save this series from hiatus, and probable cancellation. Beginning next week, its place will be taken by a new Fox series, "VR.5," that is a much more compatible fit with "The X-Files."

The choice at 10 p.m. is painfully tough, but it's the sort of pain that makes for good TV: Both "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Picket Fences" offer original episodes tonight. If you are forced to choose, I'd say watch "Homicide," because "Picket Fences" is bound to be available in reruns, and "Homicide," regrettably, may not.* "The Gordon Elliott Show" (9 a.m.-10 a.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Watch during the two-minute closing segment to see Baltimoreans responding to questions about today's topic: family feuds over wedding plans.

It's a very strange, and very compelling, life-or-death theme night on Friday's best TV series. On "The X-Files," Scully (Gillian Anderson) has her life threatened by a practitioner of voodoo. On "Homicide: Life on the Street," three officers fight for their lives in surgery and post-op, while the hunt for their assailant continues. And on "Picket Fences," Carter the coroner (Kelly Connell) becomes romantically involved with a nightclub singer -- after pronouncing her dead. (Trust me on this one.)

Because of a two-hour country-music special on CBS, "Under Suspicion" is moved to 10 p.m. tonight, and "Picket Fences" is pre-empted. While that's bad news for "Picket Fences" fans, myself included, it's good news in another respect, because tonight viewers aren't required to choose between two superb, competing programs. Watch "The X-Files" on Fox, then slip right to "Homicide: Life on the Street" on NBC. No dilemmas. No exceptions.* "The Best of Country" (8-10 p.m., Channel 13) -- The executive producer of this two-hour music special is Ken Ehrlich, whose long and impressive track record suggests two things: He loves to cross and blur musical boundaries, and his favorite thing to do in a musical special is create an opportunity for musical magic through unexpected or challenging artistic pairings.