Cable Networks Aim for Originality

Cable programming traditionally has been a mix of information programs, movies and reruns, with a new dramatic or comedy program here and there. That’s changing, and this season brings more than a few new programs to cable.

Here are the shows and series coming to cable this fall and their premiere dates. Viewers should note that each cable system carries a different lineup of cable networks.

A&E;

“The Avengers”--The stylish British mystery series of the 1960s returns with some episodes that never aired in the United States, weekdays at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Premieres Oct. 1.

“World in Action”--An Americanization of England’s investigative newsmagazine of the same name, hosted by Bill Kurtis, Thursdays 5-5:30 p.m. and 9-9:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

“David L. Wolper Presents”--An anthology of the veteran producer’s collection of historical, scientific, environmental and entertainment documentaries, with new introductory remarks by Wolper, Mondays 5-6 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. Oct. 1.

“The Inside Track With Graham Nash”--Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash, hosts a talk show, Sundays 7-8 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. Oct. 14.

“It’s Entertainment”--This weekly showcase will present facts from Hollywood’s history, Sundays at 6-7 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. Oct. 14.

BRAVO

“The Best of the BBC”--The first of a two-year-long showing of the British Broadcasting Corp.’s most critically acclaimed dramas to the United States, Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. and Sundays 4-5 p.m. Premiered Wednesday.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL

“Antiques Roadshow”--Weekdays at 10:30-11 a.m. Oct. 1.

“Do-It-For-Yourself”--A lighthearted home-improvement show, weekdays 9-9:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m. Oct. 1.

“Dr. Edell’s Medical Journal”--Weekdays 8-8:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m. Oct. 1.

“Pulse”--Interviews with health specialists, Fridays 8-8:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m. Oct. 5.

“Square Foot Gardening”--Weekdays 9:30-10 a.m. and 1:30-2 p.m., week of Oct. 1.

“A House for All Seasons”--A look at house restoration, Sundays at 9:30-10 a.m. Oct. 7.

“The Best of the BBC”--Same title as Bravo’s new entry, but different show. Actress Margot Kidder hosts the anthology series that will feature acclaimed BBC documentary and science series, Sundays 4-5 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. Sept. 30.

“From Monkeys to Apes”--Mondays 5-5:30 p.m., Fridays 8-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9-9:30 p.m. Oct. 1.

“Wild Things”--A look at wild animals and zoos trying to protect them, Mondays 8-9 p.m., Fridays 5-6 p.m. and Sundays 3-4 p.m. Oct. 1.

“A World Away”-- Nancy Glass travels the globe examining cultural and regional flavors, Mondays 7-8 p.m., Tuesdays 11 p.m.-midnight and Saturday 11 a.m.-noon. Oct. 1

“Invention”--A video magazine that looks at everyday and extraordinary inventions--from the paper clip and the electric guitar to flying cars and spy satellites, Tuesdays 6:30-7 p.m. and Wednesdays 8:30-9 p.m. Oct. 2.

“Beyond Tomorrow”--Future technology is the subject of this forward-thinking, half-hour series, Tuesdays 9-9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 8-8:30 p.m. Oct. 2.

“Adventures in Diving”--Thursdays 7:30-8 p.m. and Fridays 10:30-11 p.m. Oct. 4.

“Carriers”--This series explores the role of the aircraft carrier in the country’s national defense, Thursdays 9-9:30 p.m., Fridays 6-6:30 p.m. and Sundays 2-2:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

“Firepower”--A documentary series on tanks, guided missiles, attack aircraft and other modern military paraphernalia, Thursdays 9:30-10 p.m., Fridays 6:30-7 p.m. and Sundays 2:30-3 p.m. Oct. 4.

“Films for the Family”--Anthology offering a two-hour block of specially chosen documentaries for family viewing featuring the late Bill Burrad’s acclaimed nature specials, Saturdays 9-11 a.m. Oct. 7.

FAMILY CHANNEL

“Maniac Mansion”--Eugene Levy and other SCTV writers developed this series that stars Joe Flaherty as a zany professor who lives with his family in a Frank Lloyd Wright-style mansion in a middle-class neighborhood. Produced by the people at Lucasfilm and owned by “Star Wars” mastermind George Lucas, Fridays 7-7:30 p.m., Sundays 6-6:30 p.m., Mondays 6:30-7 p.m. and 11-11:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

“Big Brother Jake”--Jake Steinfeld--personal trainer to the stars and star of his own syndicated workout show on ESPN--plays an L.A. stunt man who returns home to Brooklyn to provide a male role model for his mother’s household full of foster children, Fridays 7:30-8 p.m., Sundays 6:30-7 p.m., Tuesdays 6:30-7 p.m. and 11-11:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

“The Adventures of the Black Stallion”--In this TV series, Mickey Rooney reprises his role as the feisty trainer in producer Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 movie, “The Black Stallion,” Saturdays and Sundays 7:30-8 p.m., Thursdays 6:30-7 p.m. and 11-11:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

The Family Channel also will air back-to-back episodes of the cult fantasy “Beauty and the Beast,” Monday evenings beginning at 8 p.m.

FINANCIAL NEWS NETWORK

“Power Profiles”--A behind-the-scenes glimpse of men and women in business today, weekdays 4:30-5 p.m., 7:30-8 p.m. and 10:30-11 p.m. Oct. 1.

“Limited Edition”--A weekly look at collectibles, Fridays 3:30-4 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. Oct. 4

HA!

“Random Acts of Variety”--A new variety show of comedy, music and sketches, Sundays 7-8 p.m. and 11 p.m.-midnight. Sept. 7.

LIFETIME

“E.N.G.”--A new dramatic series set in the newsroom of a busy television station, weekdays 7-8 p.m. and Saturdays 3-4 p.m. Already premiered.

Lifetime is airing repeats of “L.A. Law,” weeknights at 8-9 p.m. and Saturdays at 5 and 11 p.m. and “The Tracey Ullman Show,” weeknights at 11-11:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:30 and 5 p.m.

NASHVILLE NETWORK

“The Outdoorsmen”--Hunting and fishing with former Ram Jack Youngblood, Sundays at 10 a.m.

“Woods & Wetlands”--A look at hunting techniques, equipment and locations, Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 7.

USA

“Dog House”--Shelly Peterson stars in a new comedy series about a family who discovers their Saint Bernard can talk, Saturday and Sundays at 4:30 p.m., Oct. 21.

Reruns of “Divorce Court” begin Sept. 17 at 11 a.m., and past episodes of action series “MacGyver” start Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.