magic skills come in handy. TELEVISION REVIEWS On the personal front, he's in the process of divorcing wife No. 2, a gorgeous socialite (Serena vulnerabilities and strengths. Scott Thomas), and remains close Johnson, who shares the exec pro- (Fri. (29), 10-11p.m., CBS) to his first wife (Annette ducer credit while cutting a fine O'Toole) and their daughter, Filmed in San Francisco by the Don figure in the title role, has as good given a promising turn by Jodi Johnson Co. and Prods, in a chance as any actor to make this Lyn O'Keefe. association with . series last. Executive producers, , Carl- Creators cannot be accused of ton Cuse, John Nicolella; producer, Patti Nash Bridges is a glib S.F. po- overreaching. Show has a laid- Kent; director, Peter Werner; writer, Cuse; lice inspector with a photographic back feel in keeping with the sup- camera, Rodney Charters; editor, Barry memory and a rare 1970 Plymouth posedly mellow milieu. Director Leirer; production designer, Nina Ruscio; Barracuda. Predictably, his per- sound, Agamemnon Andrianos; music, Peter Werner comes through with Elia Cmiral, casting, Mindy Marin, John sonal life is a mess while his ef- solid action sequences, including Papsidera, Laura Folger. fectiveness as a cop is unassailable. the obligatory car chase over the Cast: Don Johnson, Jaime P. Gomez, He's an amateur magician and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Annette O'Toole, Jeff city's hilly streets. Perry, Serena Scott Thomas, Cary- loves his job so much that he won't Some of the choice lines in Hiroyuki Tagawa, , Daniel take a test to be promoted. His only Carlton Cuse's estimable script Roebuck, Mary Mara, Mark Pellegrino, disagreeable trait is calling every- are telegraphed or delivered in a , Arnold Vosloo, L. Peter one "Bubba" or"Bub." Callender, Lucy Alexis Liu, Elena Praskin, self-congratulatory manner. Michael Fitzpatrick, J.M. Henry. The interplay between Bridges The style of "Nash Bridges" and his ex-partner (Cheech Marin can be summed up by the cool ash. Bridges" raises the in a recurring role) will be a con- jazz bar where Nash is a regular, question of whether it's pos- sistent source of humor once the as well as by the taste he shares sible for one actor to carry a latter's function is better defined. with Marin's character for the N Potential of other supporting police drama nowadays. Don Allman Brothers Band. Bay Area Johnson has traded in his pastel characters also remains to be flavor is sought with references to sports coats and loafers for tapped. His rookie partner (Jaime Jerry Garcia's death and Merlot tweed, jeans and sneakers. But P. Gomez) is a technology whiz. grapes, plus a small earthquake. unless a strong ensemble devel- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa plays his Review tape lacked a title se- ops or another ponytailed boss. quence and key music and in- lends a distinctive style to the The necessary exposition is cluded temporary effects, so it's action, this traditional and com- nicely woven into premiere, hard to get a complete sense of paratively light cops-and- which takes place at Christmas- production values. robbers hour could get on time and centers on a computer- —John P. McCarthy the streets of San Francisco. chip heist. The stolen chips are Going head to head with "Ho- being sold to the Chinese mob by micide" will highlight show's a millionaire villain. Nash's WEDNESDAY MARCH 27,1996