New on the tube

Normal, Ohio Airs: 7:30 p.m., Fox (Channel 4) Stars: John Goodman, Joely Fisher, Greg Pitts, Anita Gillette, Cody Kasch, Julia McIlvaine, Mo Gaffney, Charles Rocket, Orson Bean. In brief: "Love, Sidney" meets "Roseanne" in this sitcom about a divorced dad who moves back to the Midwest four years after coming out of the closet. But is it any good? When a short preview of this series was shown to advertisers in the spring, it seemed depictions of gay people on TV were about to be set back 20 years. But thanks to a summer overhaul by Bonnie and Terry Turner (who also created "3rd Rock" and "That '70s Show"), "Normal, Ohio" became more complex and funnier. In fact, it's the fall's best new sitcom. Goodman basically uses the same persona he had on "Roseanne" (he may even be using the same clothes), but in playing a gay divorced dad, his character is transformed. The show is partly what you'd expect from Hollywood - gay man exchanges verbal fire with homophobic middle Americans - but the two episodes I watched also talked about divorce, infidelity and the responsibilities parents have to their kids. A normal sitcom in many ways, "Normal, Ohio" is just different enough to keep you interested. Despite the large cast, Goodman is indisputably in charge of every scene and helps the show really crackle. Is it a survivor? If "Normal, Ohio" dies, it will be because of the schedule. Fox has never aired a sitcom on Wednesday nights. But perhaps Goodman's star power, heavy promotion during the World Series and the show's unusual premise will be enough to lure viewers. For extra insurance, Fox will air a new Halloween episode of "The Simpsons" at 7 p.m. The $treet Airs: 8 p.m., Fox (Channel 4) Stars: Tom Everett Scott, Jennifer Connelly, Adam Goldberg, Nina Garbiras, Christian Campbell, Sean Maher, Melissa De Sousa, Rick Hoffman and Bridgette Wilson. In brief: Soapy stock-market drama about traders who work hard and play harder. But is it any good? Situated inside the crass fraternity of young financial traders, "The $treet" wants us to be impressed by billion-dollar stock offerings, lavish nightly parties and the idea of Adam Goldberg falling for a dominatrix. I'm not sure which of those three is more revolting. Is it a survivor? Only if every generation of teen-agers needs a "Melrose Place." @ART CAPTION:John Goodman stars in "Normal, Ohio." @ART:Photo (color) @ART CREDIT:2000 Fox Broadcasting >>>