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For the past two years, I've considered "Rude Awakening" to be Showtime's version of "Arli$$" — an unfunny adult comedy that some misguided soul saw the need to bring to pay cable. It makes fun of alcohol and drug abuse on a weekly basis, but the show's real sin is having three utterly unlikable leads: Sherilyn Fenn as the unrepentant druggie (but tidied up, without the bad teeth or hollowed-out eyes), Lynn Redgrave as her boozy Mommie Dearest and Jonathan Penner as the ex-flame who got a lot less interesting after he sobered up.

But the third-season premiere (10 p.m. Thursday, Showtime) really turned me around. Part of it has to do with a new cast member: Mario Van Peebles as an old friend of Penner's who is separating from his wife. Through Van Peebles, who unlike Penner can act, we not only find a compassionate character, but a carrier of compassion, someone whose words also helps us care more about these other knuckleheads.

Also, "Rude Awakening" appears to be getting away from the cheap sitcom laughs that made me cringe to watch it in the past. It's not that addiction is no laughing matter; anybody who says that has never mined the dark humor of a 12-step meeting.

But without the human drama of addiction and recovery, we won't care, let alone laugh. "Rude Awakening" seems finally to be learning that lesson.

On this date...

in 1992, "Family Feud" returns to daytime TV. "Golden Girls" warm-up comedian Ray Combs puckers up for the lovely ladies on the show, but will be given the kiss-off in 1994 when Richard Dawson is asked to return. -- Tom Heald

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