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Everybody Hates Chris

 (Series -- UPN, Thurs. Sept. 22, 8 p.m.)

By PHIL GALLO

Tyler James Williams plays the youngster based on Chris Rock in sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris,' premiering Thursday.

Taped in Los Angeles by Chris Rock Enterprises and 3 Arts Entertainment in association with Paramount Network Television. Executive producers, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky, Howard Gewirtz, Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi; producer, Jim Michaels; director, Reginald Hudlin; writer, LeRoi; story, Rock, LeRoi.
 
Julius - Terry Crews
Rochelle - Tichina Arnold
Drew - Tequan Richmond
Tonya - Imani Hakim
Greg - Vincent Martella
Chris - Tyler James Williams
Narrator - Chris Rock
 

UPN has a created a laugh-out-loud show capable of broadening the netlet's demographics but scheduled it where it risks being stomped by the competish. Appeal of Chris Rock should bring some new eyeballs to UPN, but there are too many viewers addicted to CBS' "Survivor," ABC's "Alias" and Fox's "The OC" for show to approach breakout-hit status in this slot. And that's a pity, as this pilot proves it could be a "Wonder Years" for a new generation.

This is Rock telling his story as a 13-year-old in 1982, moving to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant and being sent to a nearly all-white school in Brooklyn.

Chris (Tyler James Williams) is a small, bookish kid with posters of young rap acts on his bedroom walls; in his make-believe world, he dresses like Run-DMC and is revered by the nightclub crowd for being, well, Chris.

Williams plays Chris with a bit of wide-eyed wonder combined with some unnatural self-confidence: No matter what the situation, he's a man with a plan.

Reality, however, finds Chris with these responsibilities: Keep his nose clean in school and do well (that plan is halted by a bully) and make sure his father's sleep is not interrupted and that he gets up at 5 p.m. to go to work. That prompts some good physical comedy.

His siblings are there to get him in trouble or make him feel bad about himself. Brother Drew (Tequan Richmond) is younger but taller, and he more easily catches the eye of girls; sister Tonya (Imani Hakim) is the baby who always gets her way. It's the parents, though, who steal the show.

Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) is a riot, especially when it comes to scolding. And Julius, played by former NFL player Terry Crews, has an exacting presence, constantly reminding everyone how much everything costs and how wasteful they are. Together they bewilder the kids and keep them scared, especially Chris. It's old-school parenting.

Reginald Hudlin directs with a pleasant swiftness and an attention to detail that brings out the best of the humor. Ali LeRoi's script sets the bar rather high for future episodes, but by keeping scenarios simple and building around them, "Chris" has built a solid foundation.

Camera, Mark Doering-Powell; production designer, Okowita; editor, Earl Watson; music, Marcus Miller; casting, Victoria Thomas, Kim Coleman. Running Time: 30 MIN.
 

With: Jude Ciccolella, John Capodice, Travis Flory.