`CHICAGO HOPE' WINS BIG WITH VEGAS TALE

Regular readers may know that I'll take "Chicago Hope" (CBS at 10) over NBC's "ER" any time.

"ER" is a fine medical show.

"Chicago Hope" is illuminating drama that transcends the fate of patients and hospital romances. It's a show that takes chances that you usually see only on the big screen. Tonight, Shutt, Watters, McNeil and Wilkes (Adam Arkin, Hector Elizondo, Mark Harmon, Rocky Carroll) head off to a Las Vegas medical convention. Watters fears that the atmosphere will be a temptation for recovering gambling addict McNeil. His suspicions turn out to be on the money. McNeil encounters a young boxer (Shemar Moore, "The Young & the Restless") who is the son of an old friend. He is fighting at one of the casinos. The overmatched boxer is knocked cold and carried to the dressing room. What happens next sends McNeil into a tailspin. His self-loathing takes over, and he breaks down. Never has television portrayed a more gut-wrenching look at an addicted gambler. Harmon's performance is worthy of an Emmy. Kerry Lenhart and John J. Sakmar's script and Bill D'Elia's riveting directing are further examples of how "Chicago Hope" finds intelligent, imaginative and stylistic ways to tell a story. Engelbert Humperdinck guest-stars in the special episode, which was shot on location in Vegas. Be prepared to take one on the chin yourself as the hour ends in an unnerving cliffhanger. Highlights "NewsRadio," NBC at 8: This show is delightfully nutty. When Jimmy (Stephen Root) determines that the station fares better when Dave and Lisa (Dave Foley, Maura Tierney) are romantically in sync, Bill (Phil Hartman) feigns a pursuit of Lisa to make Dave jealous to get them back together to make Jimmy happier. Got it? "Spin City," ABC at 8: Mike (Michael J. Fox) runs afoul of his own office drug-testing policy when he unknowingly drinks from a bowl laced with peyote while spending time with a Native-American delegation. Also, Raquel Welch reprises her role as Paul's mom, Abby. "Cybill," CBS at 8:30: A prank by Dr. Dick leaves Cybill and Maryann (Cybill Shepherd, Christine Baranski) stranded in a seedy bus station where two high school boys mistake them for prostitutes. Meanwhile, Ira (Alan Rosenberg) gets a job playing organ at an L.A. Laker game. "3rd Rock From the Sun," NBC at 9: Dick (John Lithgow) gets his chance to win back Mary's (Jane Curtin) affections when they're locked alone in the college library. Sally, Harry and Tommy (Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt) host a Tupperware party. "Significant Others," FOX at 9: Henry (Scott Bairstow) and his married boss (Gigi Rice, "The John Larroquette Show") get it on. Campbell (Eion Bailey) outrages his parents, and Ben and Jane (Michael Weatherly, Elizabeth Mitchell) show early signs of marital problems. "Working," NBC at 9:30: It's a reunion for "The Wonder Years" co-stars Fred Savage and Danica McKellar when McKellar guest-stars as a woman Matt (Savage) picks up in a bar. What a difference a decade makes. Cable Calls "The Beth Littleford Interview Special," COM at 7 and 11: This clever special from "The Daily Show" had me howling with laughter. It's a sendup of ABC's "Barbara Walters Specials," complete with the fuzzy focus and soft lighting. Littleford profiles Fabio, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, David Duke, Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges. The Elders segment is one of the funniest things I've seen on television in a long time. Check it out. Talk Time "Tonight," NBC at 11:35: Matt LeBlanc ("Friends"), model Rebecca Romijn and animal expert Peter Gros. "Late Show With David Letterman," CBS at 11:35: Actor Bill Murray, basketball player Gheorghe Muresan and comedian Eddie Izzard. "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher," ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Author Leslie Cockburn, GOP consultant Jack Burkman, and model/actress Veronica Webb.

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