'Do Over' is absurd but amusing

'Do Over' Airs: 7:30 p.m., WB (Channel 62) Stars: Penn Badgley, Angela Goethals, Josh Wise, Natasha Melnick, Michael Milhoan, Gigi Rice Nutshell: Amusing if absurd sitcom about 34-year-old who is transported back to early '80s to relive his teenhood. In the battle of the back-to-the-future shows, I give the edge to WB's "Do Over" over ABC's "That Was Then" (premiere is Sept. 27) on the dubious grounds that "Do Over" is shorter. It also takes itself less seriously than "That Was Then," and that's to its credit as well. You may wonder how two networks came up with nearly identical shows about second adolescence. It was easy. After all, what network executive wouldn't jump at the chance to live in an endless loop, cycling from teen to 20-something and back again? It would eliminate so much guesswork when deciding which concepts pander most effectively to those younger audiences advertisers crave. To reach Aaron Barnhart, phone (816) 234-4790 or visit the TV Barn Web site at www.tvbarn.com. @ART CAPTION:Penn Badgley stars in "Do Over." @ART:Photo (color) @ART CREDIT:WB