The Network television season has started with a bang--pun intended. In their desperate attempt to keep viewers away from alternatives, such as home video and cable, the Networks have made almost every program a bit more titillating.

"Fraiser" debuted, having him involved in a love affair with a supermodel, except nobody believed him. By the time his friends and family found out that he was on the level, it was too late. The affair had ended in a way that could only have happened on television. I guess there aren't any comic implications in a relationship that lasts more than one episode.

"Nothing Sacred" debuted with a truly unbelievable depiction of a Catholic parish, that resembles none I have ever seen. The confusion of doctrine was so enormous that it would take at least three of these columns to properly detail it.

But then, what would I know? I'm only a practicing Catholic. Clearly, I don't have the insight of the writers.

Cable's A & E had to get into the act, as well. Their "Biography" series is well respected for being accurate and factual, and they did a reasonable job on J. Edgar Hoover. However, having the gall to interview Kathleen Cleaver pushes one to the limits. Even her ex (Eldridge Cleaver) disavows his activities during the sixties.

Maybe TV is looking for controversy for its own sake, and maybe we'll have to live with it. But, good grief, there was enough bad on Hoover without having to resurrect a (badly) faded sixties icon.

No discussion of junk TV would be complete without "Monday Night Football."

It's no surprise to any football fan that most serious watchers turn down the TV sound, and listen to the CBS Radio commentary by Howard David and Matt Millen. This season, the contrast in coverage has been made greater still.

On September 22nd, even if you did choose to bore yourself to death with Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford, you would have missed the final score of the game! After a botched field goal try by Pittsburgh, Jacksonville's Chris Hudson recovered the ball, and ran it back for a touchdown.

ABC-TV apparently forgot the rules. No matter how much time is left on the clock, a point after try is still required, unless the referee ends the game. True, there was pandemonium following the incredible turn of events, but showing the "Final Score" to millions of homes as Jacksonville 29, Pittsburgh 21, and then quickly leaving the game had to be a real embarrassment.

After all, ABC is "recognized around the world as the leader in sports television."

Radio stayed with it, to give listeners the true final score: Jacksonville 30, Pittsburgh 21.

Isn't it odd that the better Communications become, the worse communication actually is?