Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

((Fri. (28), 9:30-10 p.m., ABC))

Videotaped in Los Angeles by Bickley/Warren Prods., Jeff Franklin Prods. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, William Bickley, Michael Warren; co-executive producers, Barry O'Brien, Cheryl Alu; supervising producers, Jeffrey Duteil, Efrem Seeger; producers, Suzy Friendly, Michael J. Morris; associate producer, Laura Gibson; co-producer, Marcus King; director, Mark Linn-Baker; script, David Hoge, Dan Cross.

Cast: Mark Curry, Raven-Symone, Saundra Quarterman, Nell Carter, Marquise Wilson, Holly Robinson, Omar Gooding, Jamil Walker Smith.

Amoderately amusing episode of "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" finds Aunt Eunetta -- subject of much discussion in past episodes -- finally appearing on screen, and Cooper (Mark Curry) approaching unexpected romance with Vanessa (Holly Robinson).

Eunetta (series regular Saundra Quarterman, in a dual role) is in from Pine Mountain, Ga., and her down-home personality embarrasses Mark. A matchmaker who claims to have brought together Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Eunetta reads the bumps on various cast members' skulls, and decides that Cooper and sexy Vanessa -- each already dating someone else -- are fated for one another. "You'd better paint the barn and hire a band," Eunetta exhorts, "'cause it's a match!" Hilarity ensues.

Subplot finds young Tyler(Marquise Wilson) forbidding Nicole (Raven-Symone) from entering his boys-only club, with heartwarming and socially responsible resolution.

While unlikely to win any awards for sophisticated humor, "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" has its moments, with an appealing cast and occasional flashes of what might pass for wit if not examined too closely (Geneva of last night's date: "He's such a wonderful combination of old-fashioned values and charm and intelligence -- and, he's got a butt to die for").

Director Mark Linn-Baker keeps David Hoge and Dan Cross's script moving swiftly, and tech credits are OK for the genre.

Camera, Gary Scott; editor, Kenny Tintorri; art director, David Sackeroff; sound, Brentley Walton; music, Steven Chesne, Gary Boren.

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