Joe's Life Abc, Wed. Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m.

By TONY SCOTT

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Taped before an audience at CBS TV City, L.A., by Bob Myer Prods. Inc. and ABC Prods. Exec producer-writer-creator, Bob Myer; supervising producers, Nat Bernstein, Mitchel Katlin; producers, Lee Aronsohn, Rita Dillon, Andrew D. Weyman; co-producers, Michael Poryes, Tom Szollosi; director, Weyman.
 
Cast: Peter Onorati, Mary Page Keller, George DiCenzo, Mimi Kennedy, Robert Hy Gorman, Spencer Klein, Danny Masterson, Morgan Nagler, John Marshall Jones, Al Ruscio.
 

Not the funniest sitcom to come along, "Joe's Life" could be tabbed one of the more human among the new entries. Peter Onorati is ideally cast as the temporary Mr. Mom, Joe Gennaro, with Mary Page Keller as wife Sandy. The concept is old hat, but the genial personalities (and the slot after "Thea") could help in the ratings.

Sandy works days since Joe, laid off from his management job, works nights. Dad daywatches the youngsters -- Amy (Morgan Nagler), Paul (Robert Hy Gorman) and Scott (Spencer Klein).

Director Andrew D. Weyman keeps the couple lively and, even when quarreling, attractive. The youngsters occasionally slip into banal sitcom behavior, but creator-writer Bob Myer and Onorati's Joe ably work the situations.

Keller's pert as Sandy, and George DiCenzo, playing Joe's brother Stan, makes his way through the unchallenging role. As his wife, Mimi Kennedy, whose role in the opener is too small, offers a welcome tartness.

The soft sitcom's major hurdle is getting people to watch nice, 1950s-type neighbors down the way. Writer Myer better dig up more original angles if Joe's going to have a life.

Music, Donald Markowitz; production designer, Scott Heineman.30 MIN.