PREVIEW ’91 : Smile, You’re on Syndication : New offerings include flashbacks and looks ahead

Most of last year’s syndicated shows--those made exclusively to air on local stations--were so poorly received by critics and viewers that very few have returned for a second season. But that doesn’t stop the syndicators for trying again: Fall’s new syndicated programming includes talk shows, an investigative news series moderated by Geraldo Rivera and new versions of old favorites.

Here are highlights of what’s coming to Southland stations:

“Baywatch”--Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, David Hasselhoff returns as the he-man lifeguard in new first-run syndication episodes of the short-lived NBC action-adventure series. “Baywatch” kicks off with a special two-hour premiere Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on KCOP; regular time slot not announced. On San Diego’s KTTY, Saturdays at 6 p.m. starting Sept. 28.

“Candid Camera”--Smile! The Alan Funt favorite with folks secretly filmed in silly situations is back with new episodes on KABC. This time Dom DeLuise is the host. Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m; Monday at 5:30 p.m. until the end of the “Monday Night Football” season. Premiering Sept. 16. Also on San Diego’s KGTV, Saturdays at 6:30 and 11:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 and 11:45 p.m. Special premiere Sept. 21 at 8:30 p.m.

“Dennis Miller”--The former “Saturday Night Live” news anchor puts his hat into the late-night talk-show ring. Coming in January to KTLA.

“Full House”--Repeats of the long-running ABC series makes its syndication debut. Starting Sept. 23 weeknights at 7:30 on KTLA; 5:30 on San Diego’s KUSI.

“Grudge Match”--Two people who can’t settle their differences duke it out in the boxing ring. Saturdays at 12:30 a.m. and Sundays at 2 a.m. on KABC; Saturdays at 5 p.m. on KUSI. Already airing.

“The Hogan Family”--Repeats of the NBC and CBS comedy series starring Sandy Duncan, Josh Taylor and Jason Bateman make their syndication bow on KCAL, weeknights at 5:30, starting Sept. 16.

“It’s Showtime at the Apollo”--This weekly musical series originating from Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre moves from KCOP to KCBS on Sept. 14 for a new season, Saturdays at midnight.

“Lightning Force”--A special military operations unit reporting to the president takes on sensitive and dangerous missions. Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on KCAL and San Diego’s XETV, beginning Oct. 5.

“Married ... With Children”--The Bundy clan makes its syndication debut. Weeknights at 7 p.m. starting Sept. 16 on KTTV and 7 and 10 p.m. on XETV.

“Now It Can Be Told”--Geraldo Rivera anchors and is the managing editor of this investigative news program described as a cross between “20/20” and “Unsolved Mysteries.” Each report will either tackle a past story that was never resolved or break new ones. Reporters featured include Gail Anderson, Craig Rivera and Richard Wiese. Premieres Monday and airs weeknights at 7 on KTLA, at 11 on KUSI.

“Perfect Strangers”--Now entering its seventh season on ABC, repeats of the the Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot comedy series join KCAL’s comedy lineup, weeknights at 7:30 beginning Sept. 16 and 6:30 p.m. on XETV.

“Street Justice”--Carl Weathers (“Rocky”) and Bryan Genesse star in Stephen J. Cannell’s new action series about a Special Force Vietnam veteran, now an urban plainclothes police detective, who has spent the past 20 years searching for a young boy he met in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The series kicks off on KTLA with a two-hour movie Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. and moves Sept. 29 to its regular time slot, Saturdays-Sundays at 5 p.m. Also on XETV Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at midnight; two-hour premiere is Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. on XETV.

“Stuntmasters”--Weekly celebration of the danger-filled world of stuntpeople follows the exploits of a team of professional stuntmen and women. Sundays at 5 p.m. starting Sept. 29 on KCAL and Oct. 6 on XETV.

“Super Force”--The syndicated action-adventure series starring Ken Olandt as a plainclothes cop who turns into the ultimate force when he dons a special suit flies from KTLA to KCAL on Oct. 6 for its second season. Saturdays at 6 p.m.

“WKRP in Cincinnati”--CBS’ 1978-82 comedy is back with new episodes. Original cast members Gordon Jump, Frank Bonner and Richard Sanders star. Starting Saturday, it airs on KCAL Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 11 p.m. On San Diego’s KGTV Sundays at 6 p.m. starting Sept. 15. Repeats of the original series will air weeknights on KCAL, tentatively at 11 p.m.