CORTESE'S 'SINGLE' ACTION

NEW YORK - As part of the changes being made by new exec producers Michael Davidoff and Bill Rosenthal on "The Single Guy," MTV vet Dan Cortese will join the NBC sitcom as a recurring character.

"Single Guy" creator Brad Hall exited to develop a show for CBS and Big Ticket Television, so Davidoff and Rosenthal will have seven episodes to show their stuff as they try to get the show renewed for a third season.

In the most significant change, Cortese will appear in a minimum of six episodes. His character, Dan, will be introduced in the episode that will air Jan. 23.

"As Johnny (Jonathan Silverman) moves more toward settling down, Dan plays the ultimate single guy times 10, this investment banker who's handsome, successful, parties all night and looks great at 7 a.m.," said Davidoff. The duo hinted at another change: the use of the park bench in the opening title sequence, in which Silverman watches girls go by.

"Watch the bench," said Rosenthal. "We'd like to use it more, and you might see him sitting next to Ruth Buzzi, and her hitting him with a handbag."