How many times this summer did I happen to catch a quick preview for the new CBS sitcom "Bette" that featured the Divine Miss M. holding up two nighties while asking her husband to decide between "the lady or the tramp?"

Too many. It seems that rule number one for networks who have acquired big name stars is to run the same ads over and over until viewers are tempted to write hate mail. But apparently that didn't bother some, who turned out in droves to watch the show's premiere.

As it turns out, "Bette" isn't as annoying as it looks. Midler plays (surprise!) a version of herself in this comedy from Jeffrey Lane ("Mad About You"). Not only do the other characters make references to Midler's film and musical work, but she even sings and dances in every episode.

While the diva is the center of attention at virtually every moment, there are interesting characters off of which she can play, including her husband Roy (Kevin Dunn), her manager Connie (Joanna Gleason), as well as her daughter (Marina Malota) and her accompanist (James Dreyfus).

The first episode features a guest spot by Danny DeVito (who incidentally worked with Midler in the films Ruthless People and Drowning Mona). It seems that the word in the papers is that he wants Bette to play his mother in an upcoming film. When Roy and Connie get wind of it, they attempt to prepare for the storm of Bette's reaction.

While the plot of the episode seems a little tired (it's hard to say it's refreshing to watch a sitcom character go through a mid-life crisis), it is a solid pilot. Yes, Midler is naturally over-the-top. Did we expect anything different? Midler hits her stride when she can make big gestures. Yes, it's most certainly overacting, but it's as good as overacting can get.

It would be nice, however, if any of the other characters in the show were somewhat developed. Midler's relationship with her husband is interesting and almost real, but writers need to take it one step further by dimming the spotlight on Bette. It's virtually impossible for any of the other actors to properly flesh out their roles, since most of the jokes and dialogue go to guess-who.

But the show also has its strong points. Midler seems gifted with physical comedy, used more than once in the episode, and Joanna Gleason is a perfect comic foil. If the writers would just crank it up a notch, this show could become one of the network's funniest.

There's less hope for "Welcome to New York," however. The show stars Jim Gaffigan as Jim Gaffigan (hmm, creative). He plays a nice-guy Midwestern weatherman who comes to the Big Apple to make it big on the New York airwaves.

What he does not expect, however, is to experience such great culture shock. He's surrounded by supposed big-city stereotypes: a sharp boss, Marsha (Christine Baranski), an egocentric news anchor (Rocky Carroll) and a spacey secretary (Sara Gilbert).

Unfortunately for the cast, the show doesn't work very well. This is probably due to the fact that the show went through a major overhaul prior to its premiere. It was originally intended as a star vehicle for stand-up comic Gaffigan, but CBS was also looking for a project for Emmy winner Baranski. The show was quickly reshuffled to make Baranski a co-star, and the result is a show lacking focus.

Gaffigan sure seems to be the main protagonist, yet there is an awkward emphasis on his relationship with Marsha. The two even have a pointless fling mid-episode, which is quickly abandoned. While both Gaffigan and Baranski are good in their roles, no one seems to know how to settle their characters.

Rocky Carroll is appropriately snooty as the anchorman, but it's the ump-teenth version of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"'s Ted Baxter, who was a much more complex character. Carroll actually gets jealous that Gaffigan wears the same glasses and calls his optometrist in the Midwest to find out how much he paid for them. Yes, it succeeds in making his character look self-centered, but it's just not funny.

"Welcome to New York" has a solid cast, but like "Bette," the writers need to get a clear focus and make the characters and relationships more grounded. If it stays this messy, even a strong "Bette" lead-in wonąt keep it on the air for long.

"Bette"
*** (out of four)

Starring: Bette Midler, Kevin Dunn, Joanna Gleason, Marina Malota, James Dreyfus

CBS, Wed., 7:00 p.m.

"Welcome to New York"
** (out of four)

Starring: Christine Baranski, Jim Gaffigan, Rocky Carroll, Sara Gilbert

CBS, Wed., 7:30 p.m.