Any new series mixing memories of diverse hits Six Feet Under and Ally McBeal is certainly worth a look. And if tonight's stylish premiere of Fox's The Wedding Bells is an indication, the series will be worth viewing on a regular basis.

Six Feet Under? That classic HBO series dealt with brothers who ran the family funeral parlor after Dad died. The Wedding Bells centers on three sisters running a wedding-planning business after their parents divorce.

Ally McBeal? The Wedding Bells is co-created by David E. Kelley, who, based on the first hour, has instilled the same off-center comedic sensibilities he brought to the lawyer series that made Calista Flockhart a star.

Fox calls The Wedding Bells a "romantic dramedy," sort of a catchall phrase for content. After all, a new TV series needs to be shoved into some sort of category.

Based on the premiere, the emphasis is more on romance and comedy.

The three Bell sisters, Jane (Teri Polo), Annie (KaDee Strickland) and Sammy (Sarah Jones), make up a diverse emotional trio. An underlying theme, of course, is their romantic entanglements.

Jane, married to a somewhat stuffy businessman (Russell Hawkins), the chief operating officer of the wedding company, must constantly fend off the advances of a romantic chef. Annie, meanwhile, has interesting sexual tension with a wedding photographer (Michael Landes).

Those sisters have an adult, sophisticated style about their romantic involvements. Not Sammy, who has almost turned promiscuity into an art form, telling one man, "I'm not in the habit of dating men I've slept with."

The romantic escapades of the three are played against often-tense-but-humorous wedding situations, like when brides bolt from the altar at the last minute or when a lively wedding reception turns chaotic after the bride's dress catches fire as Dean Martin's That's Amore plays in the background.

The appeal of The Wedding Bells' premiere can be traced to a script that produces adult humor rather than predictable slapstick comedy.

Delta Burke offers a marvelous designing-woman turn as the officious mother-of-the-bride, who notes that her daughter is marrying a Jew. Adding that she has nothing against Jews, Mama demands that Jesus Christ be mentioned at least twice during the ceremony.

The regular cast, headed by Polo, is first-rate. I've been a Polo fan since her appearances during the final days of the revered Northern Exposure. Her 2003 ABC comedy series I'm With Her, in which she played a movie star, deserved a longer run.

Fox, recognizing the audience potential of The Wedding Bells, wisely has scheduled it for 8 p.m., following tonight's edition of American Idol.

Then the honeymoon is over as the series moves to its regular 8 p.m. Friday time period this week.

Friday, unfortunately, is a burial ground for worthy series.

TV campaign

Long-time high school associates of CBS 4's Marcia Neville have started a "save-her-job" e-mail campaign, mostly directed to vice president and general manger Walt DeHaven.

Neville, the station's high school "sports specialist," is now working part time, having been cut from a full-time position last fall when the 4 p.m. weekday newscast was eliminated.

The contract of Neville, a 25-year-plus veteran at the station, expires at the end of July amid rumors it won't be renewed even on a part-time basis.

DeHaven says "nothing definite" has been decided about Neville's future at the station, adding "a decision is not now on the horizon."

Much of the e-mail is coming from coaches and school administrators who have worked with the award-winning Neville through the years.

Mary Kvamme, a former Jefferson County coach, is a major organizer, citing Neville's longtime contributions to school programs around Colorado.

While Neville didn't start the e-mail drive, she's certainly not about to stop it.

"I'm very appreciative of people's responses," she says.

Today's nostalgia

On March 7, 1973, NBC presented a musical version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which starred Kirk Douglas in a rare TV appearance. The cast also included Michael Redgrave, Susan Hampshire and Donald Pleasance.

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