Seinfeld

LOS ANGELES -- "Seinfeld" will return for an eighth season next fall, NBC entertainment president Warren Littlefield said yesterday.The announcement came as somewhat of surprise since Jerry Seinfeld and other members of the cast were reportedly considering calling it quits after seven years in the Nielsen Top 10.As Littlefield spoke, Seinfeld walked on stage to field questions in a surprise press conference."

He came. He saw. And he was laughed right out of town.Comedian Jerry Seinfeld didn't tell a single joke during his Saturday night performance at Baltimore's Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.True to the form he displays not only on the hit television show "Seinfeld," but also when he does the late-night TV talk show circuit, Mr. Seinfeld relied solely on his observations of the small inanities we all commit -- or are subjected to -- every day.Not surprisingly, he left the nattily attired crowd, who had spent upward of $50 for tickets to the Save-A-Heart foundation's annual benefit, rolling.

One of the best early episodes of "Seinfeld" is repeated tonight, and that's the best broadcast TV has to offer. The rest of the action -- including new sitcom imports and an advance peek at one of the fall's new TV headliners -- is (during the summer, where else?) on cable.* "In the Heat of the Night" (8 p.m.-10 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- This series will go on hiatus, for at least half a season: Although it remains in production, it's not on the network's fall schedule. This two-hour episode, in which the formerly bigoted sheriff Gillespie (Carroll O'Connor)

All things come to those who wait: Specific episodes of "The Simpsons" and "Seinfeld," bounced from the schedule a few weeks ago after the earthquake hit California, finally are presented tonight. Their descriptions may evoke feelings of deja vu, but trust me: The first chance to vu these two shows occurs tonight.* "Mad About You" (8-8:30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Another flashback episode, this one reaching back to the day Paul (Paul Reiser) proposed to Jamie (Helen Hunt). NBC.* "Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice" (8-10 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11)

According to "CBS This Morning," today's the day the network will relay coverage of the first practice session attended by both Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Each, no doubt, has thought long and hard about how, and if, to react to the other, and this non-event is sure to be broadcast as many times as any medal-winning performance. Can you say "media circus," boys and girls?* "The 1994 Winter Olympic Games" (8-11 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- The onslaught begins in earnest: In addition to the events covered by CBS tonight, the network has scheduled a prime-time "women's figure skating preview."

Any Thursday on which both "The Simpsons" and "Seinfeld" provide fresh episodes is a good day indeed. And wait -- as they say on those Ginsu knives commercials -- that's not all . . .* "The Simpsons" (8-8:30 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Marge Simpson an addict? Yes, but it's not drugs she's addicted to: it's gambling, thanks to a wave of legalized gambling that threatens to wash over Springfield. Fox.* "Seinfeld" (9-9:30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- It's the holiday season at "Seinfeld," but don't expect reverence from this group: George (Jason Alexander)

George Costanza as a nude model? Say it ain't so!"Bullets, Books and Bosnia" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., MPT, Channels 22 and 67) -- Here's a look at the University of Maryland University College, which offers GIs the opportunity to study for their diplomas while stationed overseas. Best insight: a history teacher who notes that real fear is handing back a graded exam to students armed with M-16s."Friends" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) half-brother shows up and somehow gets the impression she works in a brothel.

The postnasal bleat is not included, so the jokes sometimes lack that aural pitch, and could just as well be coming out of a perspiring fat guy. Anybody willing to spend $18.95 on this elongated cocktail napkin, however, is doing his part, just as Jerry asks."