TV REVIEWS : NBC’s ‘Ferris Bueller’ Has a Night On

“Ferris Bueller,” the new NBC comedy series based on a 1986 movie starring Matthew Broderick, is breezy, smart-alecky fun. It premieres at 8:30 tonight on Channels 4, 36 and 39, with Charlie Schlatter as that engagingly cocky con artist and hooky-playing high-schooler Ferris.

Although not quite the convincing angelic phony that Broderick was in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the sharper-edged Schlatter is nevertheless an appealing Ferris, leading the student body by bad example and constantly warring with and outwitting his jealous older sister (Jennifer Aniston) and sadistic high school principal, Edward Skinner (Richard Riehle).

Both--but especially the obsessed, victimized and totally hapless Skinner--are overmatched against Ferris, whose trademarks are a quick mind and mouth and a propensity to talk to the camera as if it were his best buddy.

Executive producer John Masius proves a master of the amusing throwaway line, delivering a clever high school-spoofing script that has Ferris sawing off the head of a life-sized cutout of Broderick and Alan Rachins making an appearance as himself--convincing Skinner that he is really his Douglas Brackman character from NBC’s “L.A. Law.” Meanwhile, Ferris’ quest for the affections of a new girl in school (Ami Dolenz) plays out to an undertone of Glenn Jordan’s thumping music.

The fifth of NBC’s fall series to premiere this week, “Ferris Bueller” will repeat once before assuming its regular 8:30 p.m. Monday time slot next month. Although not as funny as the very similar “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” an even better Fox series coming Sept. 2, “Ferris Bueller” is a likable addition to the NBC schedule.

“So?” Ferris says. So far so good.