When I heard that the producers of "The Drew Carey Show" were developing a sitcom for Norm Macdonald, I wondered whether one sexist blockhead who thought he was cool wasn't enough for prime time.

Norm Henderson, the character Macdonald plays in "The Norm Show," is every bit as big a blockhead as Carey. But, you know? It works just fine in this new sitcom from ABC, because balancing him out is a smart, funny and strong female character played by Laurie Metcalf, one of the best comic actors on television. The interplay and comic tension between the characters of Laurie and Norm is one of the more pleasant surprises of TV's midseason.

Norm is a former professional hockey player who was drummed out of the game for gambling and not paying taxes. He was given the chance to do community service rather than go to jail. But his community service involves doing social work, something for which he has absolutely no interest or moral compass. He only does it to avoid the slammer.

Metcalf plays his former social worker who now shares office space with him. Whereas, Laurie is a by-the-book, ethical professional concerned about her clients, all Norm wants to do is make it down the bar for a couple of beers without their boss (Bruce Jarchow) knowing. Luckily, Laurie is also his friend and almost always there to save him from himself and jail.

Tonight, one of Norm's clients (Nikki Cox) goes to work in a massage parlor. Norm thinks it's cool -- an opinion his boss doesn't share. Things only get worse when Norm and the masseuse come up with a scam to fool him.

Norm's an idiot -- maybe a total idiot. Witness the job he finds for his dog tonight. But, if Laurie likes him, maybe there's hope. Maybe, just maybe, Laurie can even reform him.

Naaaah. More likely, he'll corrupt her.

Sam and Diane? David and Maddie? Let's not get carried away on the basis of a couple of midseason episodes. But it could happen.

'The Norm Show'

When: Tonight 9: 30 to 10

Where: WMAR (Channel 2)

Pub Date: 3/24/99