Here we go again

By Sonia Mansfield

The families on "Once and Again" have survived divorce, infidelities, financial hardships, parenting woes and even death, but can they survive yet another time slot?

The critically acclaimed, award-winning drama, which has had seven time slots in the last two years, is back on the ABC schedule -- this time, tonight at 10.

Despite a very, very loyal fan base -- they've created several Web sites and mounted a strong campaign to keep their favorite show on the air, including taking out full-page ads in the trade mags -- "Once and Again" has failed to attract enough viewers to appease the network execs.

Of course, this might have something to do with viewers never knowing when the show is going to be on -- it's certainly not because the show isn't good.

I've seen the first two new episodes, and they are as strong as ever. They pick up right after the accident in which Karen is struck by a car.

Here's a little rundown for you of what's in store: Karen goes through a painful rehabilitation. Eli gets a job at the bookstore. Lily misunderstands Jess and Grace's involvement in the school's Gay-Straight Alliance and thinks Grace is gay, when it's actually Jess who is tiptoeing into a relationship with her girlfriend Billie. Grace continues to harbor her creepy crush on her teacher -- and it's starting to look like he's interested, too. Yuck.

This could be viewers' last chance to watch "Once and Again," as ABC has not yet picked up the show for its fourth season. ABC has so few shows that are worth a damn, you'd think they would want to keep at least one on the schedule. Then again, this is the same network that thinks "According to Jim" is a good show.

If you want more info about the campaign to save the show, check out www.saveoanda.com or www.oandafans.com. __ San Francisco Examiner (March 4, 2002)

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